Tommie Brown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tommie Brown
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 28th district
In office 1992–2012
Succeeded by	JoAnne Favors
Personal details
Born	(1934-06-25)June 25, 1934 Rome, Georgia, U.S.
Died	January 20, 2026(2026-01-20) (aged 91) Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Political party	Democratic

Tommie Florence Brown (June 25, 1934 – January 20, 2026) was an important American leader. She was a social worker, a teacher, and a community helper. She also served in the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing Chattanooga's 28th District. She was a member of the Democratic Party and served for seven terms from 1992 to 2012. In 2002, a school in Hamilton County, Tennessee, was named after her: the Dr. Tommie F. Brown Academy for Classical Studies, now called the Tommie F. Brown International Academy.

Discovering Tommie Brown's Early Life

Where Tommie Brown Grew Up

Tommie Florence Brown was born on June 25, 1934, in Rome, Georgia. Her parents were Louise Murden Brown and Phillip Brown Sr. When she was six months old, her family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. She lived there for most of her life, except for her time at university. Tommie was the oldest of three children. Her siblings were Phillip Brown Jr. and Mary Louise Brown.

Tommie Brown's Education and Social Work Career

Her Journey Through Higher Education

Tommie F. Brown studied Social Work at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1957. She continued her studies at Atlanta University in Georgia in 1958. Later, she earned her Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from Washington University in St. Louis in 1964. She also received a special certificate from Columbia University in New York in 1975. Dr. Brown completed her highest degree, a Doctorate of Social Welfare, from Columbia University in 1984.

Understanding Community Leadership Through Research

For her doctoral research, Dr. Brown studied how Black community leaders worked in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the 1970s. She explored how different groups tried to guide community efforts. Her work helped people understand how to make leadership stronger and more unified.

Making a Difference as a Social Worker and Professor

Dr. Brown worked as a social worker for the Tennessee Department of Public Welfare for nearly 15 years. She was recognized for her excellent work. She received the National Social Worker of the Year Award in 1970. In 1971, she became the first Black professor to join the faculty at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). She started as an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department. Dr. Brown then created and led UTC’s Social Work program in 1977. She later established the Department of Social Work in 1980 and was its head until 1983. After serving as both a representative and a professor, she retired from the university in 1998 to focus on her work in the state legislature.

Tommie Brown's Community Involvement and Leadership

Fighting for Fairness with the NAACP

Even before she became a state representative, Dr. Brown was a strong community leader. In the late 1950s, she became active with the Chattanooga chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). This group works to ensure equal rights for all people. When students protested for equal rights at lunch counters in Chattanooga in 1960, Dr. Brown helped behind the scenes. She and other social workers worked to protect these students if they were arrested.

Improving Neighborhoods with the Model Cities Program

In 1970, Dr. Brown joined the board of the Chattanooga Model City Program. This program aimed to improve a specific area of Chattanooga that needed help. The goal was to make life better for residents by focusing on things like jobs, health, education, housing, and community safety. As a board member, Dr. Brown met with community members and helped guide projects to renew the city.

Connecting Leaders: The Tennessee Black Leadership Roundtable

Dr. Brown worked to bring Black leaders together across Tennessee. In 1984, she proposed creating a statewide network. This idea grew into the Tennessee Black Leadership Roundtable. This group helped Black leaders connect and work together more effectively. They focused on improving life for Black Tennesseans. They discussed important issues like voting rights, fair college admissions, public health, and education.

Ensuring Fair Voting Rights in Chattanooga

In 1987, Dr. Brown was a key person in a lawsuit against the Chattanooga Board of Commissioners. She and eleven other residents argued that the city's voting system was unfair. This old system made it very difficult for minority candidates to win elections. On August 8, 1989, a judge agreed that the system was illegal under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A new system was put in place by 1991. This new system created fair voting districts, ensuring that everyone's vote counted equally.

Supporting Community Organizations: The 28th District CDC

Dr. Brown also helped start the 28th District of Tennessee Community Development Corporation (CDC) in 1993. This organization aimed to support community groups in her district. Many small groups needed help with things like printing, mailing, and finding meeting spaces. The CDC provided this support, helping these organizations achieve their goals more effectively. They also hosted workshops and training sessions for community groups.

Tommie Brown's Legislative Career

Serving in the Tennessee House of Representatives

Dr. Brown began her career in the state legislature in 1992. She served for twenty years, completing seven terms in the Tennessee General Assembly. She was one of only sixteen Black women to ever serve in the Tennessee State Legislature. She was also the first Black woman to represent the 28th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Her Work on Important Committees

During her time in the legislature, Dr. Brown served on many important committees. These included committees for Children & Family, Education, and Finance, Ways & Means. She was especially involved in these three areas. She also served on special committees, such as those focused on Inner City Economic Development, the Ritalin Study, Lottery Scholarships, and Diabetes Prevention.

Championing Key Legislation

Dr. Brown supported laws on many topics, including education, health, fairness, children’s rights, and voting rights. One of her major achievements was proposing the law that led Tennessee to finally approve the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment ensures that the right to vote cannot be denied based on race. Dr. Brown also hosted yearly "Day on the Hill" events. These events taught students about how Tennessee's government works.