My Representative

Mary Pruitt
District 58 - Part of Davidson County

Biography

Representative Mary Pruitt political career began in 1977 when she was elected to serve in the Tennessee 1977 Constitutional Convention. She is the only Black female to serve in any Tennessee Constitutional Conventions. She later sought office and won the seat in a special election for State Representative left vacant by the death of her husband who served for 15 years in that capacity; upon the request of and support of the constituents of that District. Mary Pruitt is serving her eleventh term and refers to her leadership as PEOPLE CONNECTED: "Responding to Real Issues - Implementing Viable Solutions." She was honored by the naming of one of Metro Nashville Public Libraries in her and her late husband's name - MARY and CHARLES W. PRUITT PUBLIC LIBRARY and LEARNINGRESOURCECENTER.

Through Pruitt's leadership and efforts, Nashville was chosen for one of the State Enterprise Zones and was selected for one of the Federal Community Enterprise Zones in the State. Both Zones were located in her District and served to revitalize, enhance and develop programs for the at-risk population and at-risk communities.

Mary Pruitt has been selected for the past nine years as a "Pacesetter" for the Southern Women in Public Service: "Coming Together to Make a Difference" Conference convened by the StennisCenter created by Congress in 1988 as an independent entity.

Lady Pruitt is a National Honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho, member of the Order of Eastern Star, 100 Black Women of Middle TN,  State Fair Board Commissioner and a member of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council appointed by Nashville's Mayor. She serves on the Meharry Medical College Board of Trustees, an ex-officio member of South Central Neighborhood Development Corporation created through state law, and Board member of the African American History Foundation of Nashville, Inc.

Lady Pruitt formerly served as a delegate for Jesse Jackson for President, 1988; past president, Nashville Club – Nashville Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs’ Inc, and TN Middle District Civil Liberties League; former board member of Rochelle Center, Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, Nashville Urban League, Matthew Walker Health Center, TRAC – Total Rededication and Commitment, Inc., and Daughter of Elk.

In the Tennessee General Assembly, Pruitt is an elected member by her colleagues to the Fiscal Review Committee which oversees the working of state government, Chairperson for the Public Health Sub-Committee, Vice-Chair, Health and Human Resources Standing Committee, member of Calendar and Rules, and State and Local Government. Through legislation, she created the State office of Women's Health, The Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Education Act, legislation mandating Conflict Resolution/Behavior Modification as part of grades 1 and 2 curriculum in all state public schools, and authored and passed into law the Catastrophic Illness Solicitation Act. Her further accomplishments are too numerous to mention here.

State Representative Mary Pruitt is a graduate of TennesseeStateUniversity with a B.S. and M.ED Degrees and holds an Elementary Guidance Counselor Certificate. She, too, matriculated at the University of Northern Colorado. She is the mother of two, four grandchildren and a member of JohnWesleyUnitedMethodistChurch.