Jolanda Jones | |
|---|---|
 Jones speaking in 2009 | |
| Member of theTexas House of Representatives from the147th district | |
| Assumed office May 18, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Garnet Coleman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jolanda Felicia Jones (1965-11-06)November 6, 1965 (age 59) Harris County, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Houston (BA,JD) |
Jolanda Felicia Jones[1] (born November 6, 1965)[2] is anAmerican attorney, politician, and television personality, as well as a former city councilor andheptathlete. Jones, a Democrat, is currently a member of theTexas House of Representatives, representing the 147th district. She was sworn in on May 18, 2022.[3]
Jones, the oldest of five children, was born to John Ferrell Jones and Gwendolyn Jean West[1] and raised in Houston's Third Ward.[4] During her childhood, she lost her father, brother, and immediate family members to either suicide or murder.[5] Despite her tough circumstances, Jones' mother was insistent that she succeed academically. AtElsik High School, Jones was anAll-American basketball player and track and field athlete. She earned an athletic scholarship to theUniversity of Houston, and graduated with a political science degree. At the1987 Pan American Games she won bronze, and in 1989 she was US champion. Representing theUniversity of Houston, she was a three timeNCAA champion (1986, 1987, 1989). In 1995, she earned her J.D. from theUniversity of Houston Law Center.[6] She is a member ofAlpha Kappa Alpha.[7]
In 2004, she competed inSurvivor: Palau, where she was the third person eliminated from the game, finishing in 18th place.[4] From 2008 until 2011 she was a member of theHouston City Council, school board member and is a criminal defense lawyer in Texas. In 2016, she appeared on the reality series "Sisters in Law", which focused on several Black female attorneys practicing inHouston, Texas.[8]
Jones is openly lesbian, though she was once married to an abusive husband. Her experiences made her an advocate for LGBTQ causes and domestic violence victims.[5][9] In May 2022, Jones became the first Black member of the LGBTQ community elected to the Texas state legislature after winning the special election to succeed retiring RepresentativeGarnet Coleman in the Texas House District 147.[10][11]
| Texas House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theTexas House of Representatives from the147th district 2022–present | Incumbent |
