Mamie E. Locke is a Democratic state senator representing District 23 in the Virginia State Senate. Born on March 19, 1954, in Brandon, Mississippi, she is a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and resides in Hampton, Virginia. She made history as the first African American woman elected Mayor of Hampton and the third African American woman elected to the Virginia Senate. Notable achievements include chairing the Senate Democratic Caucus, the Rules Committee, and the Virginia Housing Commission; advocating for education, women's rights, affordable housing, voting rights, Medicaid expansion, minimum wage increases, gun legislation, and criminal justice equity; and receiving awards such as the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, Who's Who Among Black Americans, and Virginia Chamber of Commerce honors.

Education and Political Experience

Education:

- B.A. in History and Political Science, Tougaloo College.

- M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science, Atlanta University .

- Certificate in Management Development, Harvard University.

- Certificate in Archives Administration, Emory University/Georgia Department of Archives and History.

Political Experience:

- Professor Emeritus of Political Science and former Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, Hampton University .

- Hampton City Council , Vice Mayor .

- Mayor, City of Hampton .

- Virginia State Senate, District 23 .

- Key committee roles: Chair, Senate Rules Committee, Senate Democratic Caucus, Virginia Housing Commission; Vice Chair, FOIA Council, JLARC; member of Commerce & Labor, Education and Health, General Laws and Technology, Finance & Appropriations, and Rules committees.

- Former chair, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and Senate General Laws and Technology Committee.