Rep. Senfronia Thompson’s legacy is one built from strong principles of faith, an unwavering defense of freedom, and a staunch belief in fairness. She exemplifies the American ideal that one person can make a difference.
Texas native Senfronia Thompson represents District 141, which includes Northeast Houston and Humble. A Houston attorney, Rep. Thompson is currently serving her 23rd term in the Texas House of Representatives and has the distinct honor of being the longest-serving woman and African-American in Texas history.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from TSU, a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M; a law degree from Thurgood Marshall and a Master of Law from the University of Houston.
After the loss of her daughter, Sarah, Rep. Thompson continued to provide a loving and stable home for her grandson. She has two sons, one grandson, one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter.
An award-winning legislator and acknowledged civil rights leader, Rep. Thompson, affectionately known by her colleagues as “Ms. T”, was inducted into the prestigious Texas Women’s Hall of Fame on May 6, 2014. She is a recipient of the “National Sojourner Truth” Meritorious Service Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. In June 2017, Texas Monthly named her one of the Top 10 Best Legislators. She is the last founding member of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus still serving in the Texas Legislature and the only recipient of the Rosa Parks Award.
Her toughness and compassion in standing up for the “little dogs” has earned her the respect and admiration of many people. Early in her career and using money from her own pocket, Rep. Thompson rooted out racism in funding of Prairie View A&M. Because of her efforts, Prairie View A&M receives its fair share of federal and state funding.
She has achieved an impressive legislative resume and is the author of the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act, the Sexual Assault Program Fund, the Contraceptive Parity law, the state’s current minimum wage law, laws combatting human trafficking, laws creating drug courts, laws requiring insurance companies to pay for anticancer oral medication and 3D mammograms, Texas’ first-ever alimony law and scores of other laws benefitting women, children and the elderly.
Although her Texas’ Equal Pay Act was vetoed, Rep. Thompson remains committed to ensuring Texans receive equal pay for equal work.
She has passed several criminal justice reform bills to give first time non-violent offenders a “second chance” in obtaining employment and housing by allowing their records to be sealed; allow offenders to get their records expunged for certain misdemeanors at a much lower cost; require high school students to learn how to best interact with police officers during traffic stops; require law enforcement officers to take de-escalation training; prevent persons from going to jail because they cannot afford to pay traffic tickets or other misdemeanor fines; laws banning racial profiling and the Michael Morton Act, creating a fairer criminal justice system in Texas.
Rep. Thompson is a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
State Representative Senfronia Thompson
District 141
Texas House of Representatives
State Capitol, Room 3S.6
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
