About

Mamie Locke

Education

  • Ph.D., M.A., Atlanta University (Clark Atlanta), Political Science
  • BA, Tougaloo College, History/Political Science; French minor
  • Harvard University, Certificate Management Development
  • American University in Cairo, Fulbright Scholars Program, Middle Eastern Studies
  • Emory University/Georgia Department of Archives & History, Certificate Archives Administration
  • Civic Leadership Institute, Class of 2003

Employment

  • Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Hampton University
  • Archivist, Atlanta History Center
  • Archivist, Mississippi Department of Archives & History

Professional Memberships

  • National Conference of Black Political Scientists, Past President and Council Member
  • National Political Science Review, Former Editorial Board member
  • PS: Politics and Political Science, Former Editorial Board member
  • American Political Science Association, Former Council Member
  • American Political Science Association, Program Committee Member; Organized Section of Women and Politics, Secretary and Board member
  • Southern Political Science Association; Committee on the Status of Women, member

Awards and Honors

Senator Locke is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the following:

  • Diane Blair Award Outstanding Achievement in Politics and Government, Southern Political Science Association
  • Legislator of the Year Award, Virginia Education Association
  • Virginia Leadership Institute, Trailblazer Award
  • Senator of the Year, American Council of Engineering Companies in VA
  • Legislator of the Year, VA Association of Roofing Professionals
  • Virginia Education Association, Legislative Champion Award
  • Virginia Counselors Association, Legislator of the Year Award
  • Virginia Union University, Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Virginia State University, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists Excellence in Government Award

Civic/Social Activities

  • Member, Senate, Virginia General Assembly, 2004-Present
  • Member, Hampton City Council, 1996-2000; Vice Mayor, 1998-2000
  • Mayor, City of Hampton, 2000-2004
  • Commissioner, Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority
  • Commissioner, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
  • Member, Peninsula Mayors and Chairs Caucus
  • Member, Hampton Roads Mayors and Chairs Caucus
  • Board of Directors, National League of Cities
  • Women in Municipal Government (National League of Cities), Second Vice President
  • National Caucus of Local Elected Officials (National League of Cities), Region 3 Regional Director
  • Transitions Family Violence Services, Board Member
  • The Links Incorporated, Hampton Chapter, Alumna Member
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Alpha Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter
  • NAACP, Life Member

Senate Appointments

  • Finance and Appropriations
  • Commerce and Labor
  • General Laws and Technology
  • Education and Health
  • Rules (Chair)

Additional Appointments/Affiliations

  • Senate Democratic Caucus (Chair)
  • Hampton Roads Caucus
  • Virginia Housing Commission (Chair)
  • FOIA Council (Vice Chair)
  • JLARC (Vice Chair)
  • Fort Monroe Authority, Board of Trustees
  • Joint Commission on Health Care
  • Hampton Roads Transportation Organization
  • Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission
  • National Conference of State Legislators
  • Higher Education Task Force (Vice Chair)
  • SALT Task Force
  • Child Care Work Group
  • National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

Publications

  • "Janet Howell: Senator 1992-2024." Virginia Capitol Connections. Volume 29, Number 2, Winter 2023.
  • "Women in the Senate." Virginia Capitol Connections. Volume 14, Number 2, Spring 2008.
  • "State of the Black Union, 2007." Virginia Capitol Connections. Volume 13, Number 2, Spring 2007.
  • Senator Locke has numerous publications as an academician and scholar while serving as a professor of political science and administrator at Hampton University.

Additional Information

Dr. Mamie E. Locke is a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and currently resides in Hampton, Virginia. She earned a B.A. in History and Political Science from Tougaloo College and a Master's and Ph.D. in Political Science from Atlanta University (later Clark Atlanta University). She is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia. She also served as the Assistant Dean and the Dean of The School of Liberal Arts and Education. She has published extensively on issues of race, gender, and public policy.

As an elected official, Senator Mamie E. Locke was the first African American woman elected Mayor of the City of Hampton. After eight years of service, she became the third African American woman to win a seat in the Senate of Virginia. Representing the 23rd District, she serves on the following legislative committees: Commerce & Labor, Education and Health, General Laws and Technology, Finance & Appropriations, and Rules. She is the Chair of the Rules Committee and the Senate Democratic Caucus. Because of her extensive background in higher education, she chairs the Subcommittee on Higher Education for the Education and Health Committee and the Education Subcommittee for Finance and Appropriations. She has also served as chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC). Throughout her political career, Senator Locke has been a strong advocate for education, women's rights, affordable housing, voting rights, Medicaid expansion, increased minimum wage, sensible gun legislation, and equity in the criminal justice system.

Senator Mamie E. Locke believes that she is responsible for improving the lives of those she serves. She extends this belief through her community involvement as a Golden and Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Alpha Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter, Alumna Member of The Links Incorporated, and as a Subscribing Gold Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Senator Locke also serves on the Third Congressional District Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia and the Board of Transitions Family Violence Services.