State Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers

Rep. Bowers is an alumna of Spelman College and Texas Southern University, earning her bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism. She began her career as a broadcast journalist in public television, working at PBS headquarters and for WETA-TV 26/Radio 90.9 in the District of Columbia. She moved to commercial television once she returned home to Texas, working at KCEN-TV 6 in production and later being promoted to news producer. Her work as the educational services coordinator for KERA TV 13/Radio 90.1 fueled her dedication to supporting and improving education.

Rep. Bowers is a former educator. She has volunteered on Garland Independent School District PTA and Band Boosters executive boards. She maintains an active membership at St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church and is a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She served on the Rowlett Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for 8 years, assisted with the city’s recovery after the December 2015 tornado, and co-founded the Dallas Women’s March in 2016.

Rep. Bowers has been honored by several organizations, including receiving the 2019 Bands of Hope “Trailblazer Award,” the Afiya Center’s “Legislative Achievement Award,” Texas Southern University’s “Distinguished Alumna of the Year,” and being named the Texas Legislative Black Caucus 2019 “Freshman of the Year.” In 2022, she received the Roy Wilkins Civil Rights NAACP Image Award and the Changemaker Award for Political Leadership from Dallas’ New Leadership Council.