SOUTH CAROLINA STATE SENATOR 01/2012 to 12/2024
District 23Lexington / Columbia SC
In 12 Years of Service passed into law and Signed by the Governor over 45 meaningful pieces of Legislation to protect Women, Children, Veterans and Senior Citizens in South Carolina
* Chair, Family and Veterans Services Finance Committee * Joint Bond Review Committee * Labor Commerce and Industry* Corrections and Penology * Rules * Senate Operations and Management* Co-Chair of S.C. Suicide Prevention Coalition * Member and Chair of the Joint Citizen and Legislative Committee on Children * Child Fatality Committee * Governors Committee on Domestic Violence
2001-2003 Board of Directors, Lexington County Department of Social Services
2001-2004 Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of the Congaree
2003 Leadership Lexington County Graduate
2003 Lexington County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy Graduate
2005-2007 Treasurer, Lexington County Republican Party
2006 Vice Chairman, South Carolina 2nd Congressional District
2006 & 2008 Co-Chair, Lexington County Victory
2007-2008 Chairman, Lexington County Republican Party
2008-2010 President, West Metro Republican Women
2011-2012 Chairman, Friends of Juvenile Justice
Member Advisory Board of the Women of Hope Lexington Medical Center Foundation
2012 Glamour Magazine Top 12 Political Women of the Year Award
2013 Founder of Katrina’s Kids, a 501(C)3 which strives to give every chance to every child in Foster care and group homes. They serve all 46 Counties in South Carolina www.katrinaskids.com
2013 Outstanding Female Statesman Award for Lexington County Republican Party
2013 South Carolina Republican Party Terry Haskins Award
2013 South Carolina Federation of Republican Women’s Woman of the Year
2013 SC Federation of Republican Women Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Government in Public Service 2013 Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels
2013 Saluda River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Conservationist of the Year
2013-2014 University of South Carolina Education Policy Fellowship
2014 University of Virginia Darden School of Business Emerging Leaders Program
2014 South Carolina Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year
2014 South Carolina Taxpayers Association “Friend of the Taxpayer” Award
2014 Woodman of the World “Community Leadership” Award
2014 Keep the Midlands Beautiful “Green Elected Official” Award
Board Member, National Foundation for Women Legislators
2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Palmetto Family Council Perfect 100% Legislative Score
2015 National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Legislator of the Year
2015 Palmetto Trout Association Award 2015 Palmetto Center for Women Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Award
2015 SCCADVASA Legislator of the Year 2015 Institute for Child Success Honoree
2015 Hyman Rubin Award Recipient
2015 National Foundation for Women Legislators Women of Excellence Award
2015 Batesburg-Leesville Best Local Politician
2016 SC Network for Children’s Advocacy Centers’ Champion for Children Award
2016 SC Foster Parent Association President’s Award
2016 United Way Common Good Award for Volunteerism
2016 SC Association of Conservation Districts Legislative Appreciation Award
2016 Trailblazer Award for Leadership on Domestic Violence Prevention
2016 SC Speech Hearing Language Association Legislator of the Year
2016 Foundation for Government Accountability Champion for Children
2017 S.C. Beer Wholesalers Legislator of the Year
2017 Children’s Trust of SC Legislative Champion Award
2017 American Legion Special Legislative Award
2017 Respectable Award, Able SC 2017 SC Association of the Deaf Legislator of the Year
2017 SC Victims Assistance Network Award of Appreciation
2017 S.C. Department of Probation, Pardon, and Parole Services Legislative Award
2017 SC IMPH Health Policy Fellows Program
2018-2021 Chair of the Southern Legislative Conference’s Human Services & Public Safety Committee
2018-Present Southern Legislative Conference Executive Committee
2018 Donate Life SC Legislator of the Year
2018 Survivors Inspiration & Hope Award 2018 Foundation of Government Accountability Champion of Opportunity Award
2018 Autism Speaks Legislative Champion
2018 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Legislator of the Year
2019 The Christian Life and Public Affairs Committee of the SC Baptist Convention Public Servant Award
2020 As One SC Outstanding Achievement Award
2020 SC Suicide Prevention Coalition Leadership & Service Appreciation Award
2021 SC National Guard Association State Senator of the Year
2021 Honorary Duckmaster – The Peabody Hotel
2021-2023 Chair, National Foundation for Women Legislators
2022 Able SC Legislative Award
2022 SC Department of Social Services Legislative Champion Award
2022 Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award
2022 NFL Child ID Jerry Kramer Legislator of the Year
2023 SC Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers BeHeard4Kids State Leadership Award
2023 Wholespire Senate Legislative Champion
2023 Disability Advocacy Day, Advocate of the Year
2023 Boating Safety and Education Act of 2023
2023 Dean McManus Spirit of NFWL Award 2023 South Carolina Athletic Trainers Association President Award
2023 Friends of Athletic Trainers Award
2023 Forbes 50 over 50 Most Influential Women in America
2023 Leeza Gibbons Dare to Lead Award
2023 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award
2024 SC National Association of Social Workers Legislator of the Year
2024 Lexington Community Service Appreciation Award
2024 Children’s Trust Leadership Award
2025 OneSouthCarolina Riley Wilkins Award
EDUCATION
| Batesburg Leesville High School, Batesburg, SC UVA Darden Business School, Charlottesville, VA South Carolina State University , Orangeburg SC Honorary Doctorate in Human Letters, 04/2024 Francis Marion University , Florence SC Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, 03/2024 |
WHILE I BREATHE 