Beverly Powell

"Senator Beverly Powell, a lifelong resident of North Texas and a determined\ \ advocate for public education, represents the people of Texas Senate District\ \ 10. The area covers much of Tarrant County, including parts of Fort Worth and\ \ the surrounding area.\r \r The daughter of a Texas history teacher and a graduate\ \ of Burleson public schools, Senator Powell's personal experiences in public education\ \ have informed her policy direction in the Texas Senate. She graduated cum laude\ \ from Texas Wesleyan University as a non-traditional student and single mother.\ \ She went on to spend a decade on the Burleson Independent School District Board\ \ of Trustees, serving as President for two years, and earned a place on Texas Wesleyan's\ \ Board of Trustees, where she continues to serve today as immediate past chairman.\r\ \ \r In the Texas Senate, Senator Powell serves on the Education and Higher Education\ \ Committees where she is a respected leader on education issues. During her first\ \ session, Senator Powell spent her time advocating for school finance reform, increased\ \ teacher pay, enhanced school safety and mental health programs, and higher education\ \ and career training opportunities for all Texans. She co-sponsored an $11.6 billion\ \ dollar school finance bill, and created the Texas WORKS Program, designed to provide\ \ on-the-job training opportunities for students enrolled in Texas universities.\r\ \ \r As a decades-long real estate professional and the daughter of a decorated\ \ World War II veteran, bolstering North Texas' vibrant economy and advocating for\ \ our military and veteran communities remain important to Senator Powell\u2019\ s agenda. She has been instrumental in fighting for job creation and workforce training\ \ legislation. Senator Powell led efforts to preserve the Operation Welcome Home\ \ Program for returning service members and authored legislation to streamline the\ \ Military Value Revolving Loan Fund for military communities.\r \r Her thoughtful\ \ and effective leadership has earned her recognition from her colleagues and respected\ \ organizations including the Texas Urban Council of Superintendents, the Texas\ \ Justices of the Peace and Constables Association, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black\ \ Chamber of Commerce and the Meadows Foundation.\r \r Senator Powell and her husband\ \ Charlie are active in their church and are parents to three sons and have seven\ \ grandchildren."