Elected to the Senate in 2012

House of Representatives, 2006-2012

Democratic Leader Pro Tempore, 2008-2010

Other Public Service

Florida Commission on Human Relation, 1987-2001

Honors and Awards

FEA Mary McLeod Bethune Humanitarian Award Recipient

American Cancer Society Honoree

Executive Women Awardee

National Foundation for Women Legislators, Florida Director

National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Executive Board Member

Affiliations

NAACP Member

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Member

Links, Inc. Member

Orlando Children's Trust, Board Member

Association to Preserve African American Society, History, and Tradition, Inc., Founding President

Biographical Information

Occupation- Founder, Museum of African American History, Historical Tours

Spouse- Judge Emerson R. Thompson, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL

Children- Laurise Thomas, Emerson R. Thompson III, Elizabeth Thompson

Grandchildren- Jasmyne James, Imani Thomas, Kiara Thompson, Symone Thompson

Education- Florida State University, M.S., 1973

University of Miami, B.Ed., 1970

Miami-Dade Community College, A.A., 1968

Born- November 18, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Moved to Florida in 1955.

Religious Affiliation- Baptist

Recreation- Cycling, reading