THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
"It's Not Enough To Know The Right Thing To Do, It's Best To Do It Right."
Legislator Priscilla Taylor was born on December 31, 1949 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Taylor earned her B.S. degree from Barry University in Miami, Florida in 1997 and earned her M.B.A. degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1999.
Before attending Palm Beach Atlantic University, Taylor worked in the insurance industry and founded her own company. In 1999, Taylor was elected to public office for the first time as a commissioner for the Palm Beach County Commission. In that position, Taylor was integral to bring in the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the spring-training facilities for the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals baseball teams. She was re-elected twice and held the position of chairwoman in 2001 and 2003. Taylor was then elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2004, where she represented the 84th District of Florida. During her time in the House of Representatives, Taylor served as the Democratic Party Whip from 2004 until 2006. In 2009, she resigned from her seat in the Florida House of Representatives when Governor Charlie Crist appointed her to the Palm Beach County Commission. Taylor was re-elected to that position in 2010 and served until 2012. She was then appointed as mayor of Palm Beach County in 2014. Taylor campaigned for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2016.
Taylor was also active in a number of community organizations, including the Greater Palm Beaches Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. Taylor also served as a board member for Columbia Hospital, the Criminal Justice Commission, the Epilepsy Foundation, and the Urban League. She served as the southeast director of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women as well.
Taylor was recognized for her service to the community through a number of awards and honors. She was the recipient of the Sojourner Truth Award and the A. Philip Randolph Institute’s Distinguished Legislative Service Award. Taylor was also named as one of the “25 Most Influential Black Women” by Success Magazine in 2006.
Taylor has two children, Vita and Sean.
Priscilla Taylor was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on March 11, 2017.