Stephanie Flowers facts for kids

Stephanie Anne Flowers was born on August 8, 1953. She is an American attorney and a Democratic politician. She has been serving in public office since 2004. Flowers started her political career when she was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 2004. In 2011, she was elected to the Arkansas State Senate, where she continues to serve today.

Stephanie Flowers went to Philander Smith College in Little Rock. She also studied law at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. After finishing her studies, she returned to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. There, she started her own law practice and became involved with the Democratic Party.

About Stephanie Flowers

Her Journey to Public Service

Stephanie Flowers first became a state representative for District 17 in 2004. She won the Democratic primary election and then ran unopposed in the general election. This means no one ran against her. She won her elections again in 2006 and 2008 without anyone running against her in either the primary or general elections.

In 2010, Stephanie Flowers decided to run for a seat in the Arkansas State Senate. She won the Democratic primary election and then ran unopposed in the general election. This moved her from the House of Representatives to the State Senate. In 2012, her district changed to District 25. She won the Democratic primary election and then won the general election against a Libertarian candidate.

Her Family Background

Stephanie Flowers's parents were Margaret Brown Flowers and William Harold Flowers. Her mother was a teacher. Her father was a well-known attorney who helped end segregation at the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Her relative, Vivian Flowers, also serves in the Arkansas House of Representatives. Vivian represents the 65th district.

Her Work as a Lawyer

After finishing law school, Stephanie Flowers returned to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She opened her own law office there. She also worked as a deputy prosecutor for the juvenile court in Jefferson County, Arkansas. A deputy prosecutor helps the court with legal cases, especially those involving young people. Stephanie Flowers has been a practicing lawyer for more than 30 years.

Stephanie Flowers as a Senator

What Senators Do: Committees

As a senator, Stephanie Flowers works on several important committees. Committees are groups of lawmakers who study specific topics and bills. She is the Vice Chair of the Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee. This committee deals with laws and the justice system. She also serves on the Joint Budget Claims Committee.

Senator Flowers is also a member of other committees, including:

• Arkansas Legislative Council
• Joint Budget Committee (which looks at how the state spends money)
• City, County & Local Affairs Senate Committee (which deals with issues for cities and counties)
• Joint Energy Committee
• Children and Youth Senate Committee (which focuses on issues affecting young people)
• Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus (a group of African-American lawmakers)

Standing Up for What's Right

In 2019, Stephanie Flowers became widely known for her strong words during a debate. This debate was about a bill called Senate Bill 484. This bill was about changing a law known as "Stand Your Ground." This law generally says that people do not have to try to escape a dangerous situation before using force to protect themselves.

During the discussion, some lawmakers wanted to limit how long people could speak. As the only African-American member on the committee, Senator Flowers strongly defended everyone's right to speak. She explained that people from different backgrounds, like her son, experience the world differently. She spoke passionately about the importance of hearing all voices in such important debates.