Serving her fourth term as a state representative in Georgia’s 58th district, Simone Bell continues to proudly serve as a voice to those who are marginalized in her state. Growing up in Michigan, she learned the values of hard work and dedication from her family.
Bell found herself at Agnes Scott College, where she expanded her passion for helping others by fighting for workplace equality, women’s rights, and LGBT issues. Through her devotion to helping others, Bell knew that running for office would be the next step to make a difference in the world.
Bell joined the Georgia state legislature in 2009 in a special election, becoming the first out black lesbian elected to a state legislature. She immediately began working on critical issues that were close to her heart, collaborating with the Children and Youth Committee and assisting her colleagues in improving the health and wellness of foster children.
As a former healthcare liaison, Bell understands the importance of affordable healthcare for all. She is a proponent of fair access to quality healthcare and has been fighting to expand women’s healthcare in Georgia, especially access to OB/GYN offices.
Bell continues her advocacy for the rights of all Georgians. Before office, she worked for the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative and Lambda Legal, two organizations that fight against discrimination and support the community. She frequently serves as a mentor for LGBT youth and promotes civic engagement in the community, as she believes these are core pieces to American society. She co-sponsored a bill to prohibit anti-gay private schools from receiving public money.
Bell was honored with the ‘Harvey Milk Champion of Change’ award by the White House in 2011. She was proudly endorsed and supported by the Victory Fund during her election and completed the Victory Institute’s Candidate and Campaign Training.
Bell has proven to be an asset not only to the African-American and LGBT communities, but to all of her constituents. Her leadership and devotion to helping others is the embodiment of a true American.
