• Born in Nashville, TN
• Single; three children, two grandchildren
• Methodist
• Membership Director

Public Office

• House member of the 99th through 105th General Assemblies
• Vice-Chair, House Children and Family Affairs Committee
• Member, House Health and Human Resources Committee
• Member, House Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee
• Chair, House Domestic Relations Subcommittee
• Member, House Professional Occupations Subcommittee
• Member, House Family Justice Subcommittee
• Member, House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee
• Member, House Employee Affairs Subcommittee
• Member, Joint Select Committee on Children and Youth
• Chair, Davidson County Delegation, 100th and 101st General Assemblies

Community Involvement

• Nashville Women's Political Caucus
• Davidson County Democratic Women
• Volunteer for C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
• Chair, Davidson County Delegation, 1996-2000
• Member, Committee on Housing Solutions for Mental Health
• Member, Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic Violence Council
• Member, Metro Nashville Council for the 30th District, 1987 to 1995
• Member, Metro Nashville Planning Commission, 1991-1994

Honors and Awards

• Leadership Award, Mid-Cumberland Council on Children and Youth
• Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association Leadership Award, 1997
• Tennessee AFL-CIO Leadership Award, 1997
• Tennessee Citizen Action Leadership Award, 1998
• Tennessee March of Dimes Leadership Award
• Vanderbilt Law School Leadership Award
• Tennessee Podiatric Medical Association Legislator of the Year Award
• Tennessee Fire Fighters Legislator of the Year Award
• Nashville Fire Fighters Legislator of the Year Award
• Senior Citizens Leadership Award
• Tennessee Alarm Association Legislator of the Year
• Outstanding Legislator for TN Coalition against Domestic Violence
• TN Development District Association Leadership Award