| Senator Tonya P. Anderson, a Democrat, has served in
the Georgia State Senate since 2016. She represents
Senate District 43, which includes Rockdale County and
portions of Dekalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties.
In the Senate, she serves on the following committees-
Appropriations; Economic Development and Tourism;
Regulated Industries and Utilities; Reapportionment and
Redistricting; and Veterans, Military, and Homeland
Security. Sen. Anderson is also the former Chair Emeritus
of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC).
Recently, she was elected by her peers to serve as the President for the National Organization of Black Elected
Legislative Women (NOBEL Women). Her term began January 1, 2024.
Sen. Anderson is the author and champion of a historic bipartisan criminal justice reform bill-Senate Bill 288.
This bill allows for the restriction and sealing of criminal records of most misdemeanor and some felony
convictions. Prior to the passage of SB 288, in GA, any criminal record stayed on a person's record for life. This
bill affects 4.3 million Georgians and will create opportunity for employment, housing and school (to pursue a
higher education). SB 288 went into effect January 1, 2021. Simultaneously, Sen. Anderson co-sponsored
another bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform bill, SB 105, which shortens felony probation time. Additionally,
Sen. Anderson is the author of another criminal justice reform measure-SB 257, which expands the reach to
restrict and seal criminal records.Prior to serving as State Senator, she served as the 1st State Representative for House District 92. Prior to
serving as a State Representative, she served as City Councilwoman and Mayor for the City of Lithonia.
Sen. Anderson retired in 2012 from the United States Air Force Reserve after more than 21 honorable years of
service and continues to volunteer and advocate for veterans' services, services for seniors and youth. She is
the recipient of numerous awards over the years by many world renowned organizations to include the
National DAV (Disabled American Veteran), Women Veteran's Social Justice award; the Woman of Excellence
Award by The National Foundation of Women Legislators (NFWL); The Who's Who in Black Atlanta Award; and
The DeKalb County NAACP Medgar Evers Freedom Legacy Award.
Sen. Anderson earned a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from THE
Alabama State University as well as a Masters of Divinity from Luther Rice University and an MBA from Georgia
State University. She has TWO Honorary Doctorate degrees in Humanitarian & Theology, respectively. Most
recently, she completed Yale University's Women Leadership Academy.Sen. Anderson is an ordained minister, a life coach, consultant, motivational speaker, mentor
and a proud, active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. |