Speaker Pro Tempore Lois DeBerry is accustomed to being the first. She became the first African-American woman elected to the state House of Representatives from the city of Memphis and the second African-American woman to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly. Regarded as the highest-ranking female in Tennessee politics today, in 1986, DeBerry was elected by her peers to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore, becoming the first African-American female to serve in that influential leadership position. In this role she serves in the absence of the Speaker of the House and is a voting member of all House committees. DeBerry is currently serving her 11th consecutive term.
In 1994, DeBerry became the first woman to serve as president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, where she represented more than 500 legislators in the United States and the Virgin Islands. Her public service advocacy has been characterized by her devotion to the elderly, children and youth, health care, women’s issues, education, and economic and community development. Her passion is not just directed toward Memphis, but is felt across the state of Tennessee.
DeBerry serves on many boards and organizations nationally and locally. A few include: the Southern Regional Education Board, Women in Government, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, National Conference of Black Legislators, NAACP, the Links and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
As an early supporter of 44th President Barack Obama, DeBerry has a role on the national political scene as well. She serves as a member of the Democratic National Committee, and in August 2000 at the Democratic National Convention, she had the distinct honor to second the nomination of the vice president and presidential candidate Al Gore Jr.
Speaker Pro Tempore DeBerry is in constant demand as a public speaker and travels extensively to share the Tennessee public policy story.
