Rhetta Bowers, Texas Representative HD 113

Representative Bowers was elected to serve House District 113 in the Texas House of Representatives on November 8, 2018. She made history as the first African American elected to represent this district. Being of African American and Caribbean descent, she became the first Afro-Latina elected to the Texas House. House District 113 includes parts of Rowlett, Garland and Mesquite.

Bowers was drawn to activism at an early age, following the example of her mother, a prominent community leader, and her father, a nationally recognized surgeon. She is an alumna of Spelman College and Texas Southern University, earning her bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism.

Upon graduation, 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 was later promoted to news producer. Bowers has held many positions within the television industry, but it was her job as the educational services coordinator for KERA TV 13/Radio 90.1 that resonated most with her and fueled her dedication to supporting and improving education.

Page last updated 10:14 AM, September 11, 2023