Grace Monica Akech Onyango was born on June 26, 1927 in Sakwa, Nyanza province as the second child in a family of nine children.
She became the first woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament in Kisumu on December 6, 1969 in a male dominated legislature.
She remained in parliament until 1984.During her time there, she was recognised for her great debating skills.
Before becoming MP, she served as an elected mayor of the city between 1967 to1969.
She also served as a teacher and was married to a teacher and journalist, Onyango Baridi who died in 1969, leaving her with six children.
She was heavily involved in investigating the murder of Josiah Mwangi Kariuki who was allegedly assassinated.
Grace Monica Akech Onyango also served as the first woman Secretary General of the Luo Nation.