Sollie Norwood sworn in to Senate District 28 seat

Norwood taking the oath of office as wife Joan holds the Bible.

By Laura Tillman

Associated Press

Norwood taking the oath of office as wife Joan holds the Bible.

Democrat Sollie Norwood was sworn in Monday, March 4, 2013 as the newest member of the Mississippi Senate. Norwood, 60, is a former member of the Jackson School Board.

He defeated former Jackson city councilman Marshand Crisler in a special election runoff to represent Senate District 28, which is entirely in Hinds County.

Norwood won with 54 percent of the vote and succeeds Democratic Sen. Alice Harden of Jackson, who died in December. Harden became the first black woman to serve in the Mississippi Senate when she

was elected 1987, serving until her death. She was 64.

“I will work each and every day to make life better – to improve the quality of life – and make an impact on addressing the issues of housing, education and employment opportunities,” Norwood said. “I’m excited about the human capital in the district and bringing people together to collectively work to solve the problems in the district.”

Norwood will serve nearly the final three years of a four-year term that Harden started. He said he will continue to work toward improving education, an issue that Harden championed.

Also he said he’s committed to expanding Medicaid, which the Republican Gov. Phil Bryant opposes. Norwood said he will go on a listening tour to hear from his new constituents.

Rep. Alyce Clarke, D-Jackson, who has served since 1985, was the first black woman elected to the Mississippi Legislature. She said she believes Norwood is a good man, and that she’ll make sure he works for the state’s women.

Dozens of supporters, including family, friends and members of Norwood’s church, turned out at the Capitol for his inauguration. Norwood is married to Joan Norwood, a JPS educator and they have two children, Sollie B. Norwood II and Ashley Norwood.

Norwood received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master’s of Science in Education in guidance and counseling from Jackson State University. He furthered his studies at the University of Mississippi in student personnel in higher education.

He has been awarded the 2004 Jackson Public School District Parent of the Year, 2004 2nd Congressional District Parent of the Year, National Association of State Community Service Program (Ann Kagie) Award, Mississippi Families for Kids Legend for Children Award, National Center for Fathering: Fathers in the Trenches Award, Amos Wright Education Award, “Warren, Washington, Issaquena and Sharkey” Community Service Award, Entergy Mississippi Award for Outstanding Dedication in Support of the Most Vulnerable Citizens of Our State, Phi Beta Sigma Mu Sigma Chapter Image Award in the Field of Community Service and the 2010 HOPE Award in the area of Social Justice.

Supporters and friends of Norwood witness his swearing in ceremony in the Mississippi State Senate. Photos by JAY Johnson
Seated, Ashley Norwood, Sollie Norwood, Joan Norwood, Sollie Norwood III; Standing, Yvonne Ainsworth, Barbara Hilliard

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