Lois DeBerry facts for kids

Lois Marie DeBerry (May 5, 1945 – July 28, 2013) was an important American politician. She was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. She also served as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Tennessee House. This means she was a leader who helped run meetings when the main Speaker was away.

Lois DeBerry was a Democrat. She represented the 91st district, which is part of Shelby County. She was first elected in 1972. When she passed away, she was the longest-serving member in the Tennessee House. She was also the second African American woman to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly. She was the first woman to be Speaker Pro Tempore of the House.

Lois DeBerry's Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Memphis

Lois DeBerry was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 5, 1945. She was one of five children. Her parents were Samuel and Mary DeBerry. Her father worked as a trucker. Lois grew up in the Bunker Hill area of South Memphis. She later graduated from Hamilton High School.

Joining the Civil Rights Movement

In the 1960s, Lois DeBerry became very involved in the civil rights movement. This movement worked for equal rights for all people. Even though her parents were worried, she took part in important events.

• She joined the March on Washington on August 28, 1963.
• She participated in student sit-ins. These were protests where people sat down and refused to move.
• She also joined a Selma to Montgomery march in 1965. These marches helped people fight for the right to vote.

College Education

In 1971, Lois DeBerry earned her degree. She graduated from LeMoyne-Owen College. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. This prepared her to teach young children.

Lois DeBerry's Political Career

Becoming a State Representative

Lois DeBerry decided to run for public office in 1972. She had been working as a counselor. She felt that there weren't enough African American leaders helping the community. The 91st District was a new area for elections. It was created after the 1970 census.

She was one of five people running for the state House of Representatives. With help from U.S. Representative Harold Ford, Sr., she won the election. She defeated four male candidates. She started her work in the 88th Tennessee General Assembly in 1973.

Serving the Community

Lois DeBerry represented the 91st district from 1973 until her death. She was the longest-serving member of the Tennessee House. She worked on many important issues. She was part of several committees. These committees helped make decisions about laws.

• She chaired a special committee. This committee studied how to help former prisoners rejoin society.
• She was on the Governor's Juvenile Justice Reform Commission. This group worked to improve the justice system for young people.
• She also advised the Governor on minority business development.

Key Roles and Achievements

Lois DeBerry was an educator before becoming a politician. She achieved many "firsts" in her career:

• She was the first African American woman elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives from Memphis.
• She was the first chairwoman of the Shelby County Delegation.
• She was the first African American woman to be elected Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives.

Lois DeBerry's Personal Life

In 1981, Lois DeBerry married Charles Traughber. He was the chairman of the Tennessee state parole board. Lois had one son from a previous marriage, Michael "Boogaloo" Boyer, Jr.

Lois DeBerry passed away on July 28, 2013. She had been battling pancreatic cancer for almost five years. She died at a hospital in Memphis. She was also a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. This is a Greek-letter organization for women.

Lois DeBerry's Political Views

Lois DeBerry supported many different ideas during her time in office.

• In 2005, she helped propose a bill. This bill would have asked parents to volunteer in schools for at least 12 hours each year.
• In 2004, she voted against a bill. This bill would have banned civil unions and domestic partnerships in Tennessee.
• In 1999, she suggested a bill to limit credit card companies. This bill would have stopped them from asking students to sign up for credit cards on college campuses.
• She was a close friend of former Vice President Al Gore. She even nominated him for president at the Democratic National Convention.