The youngest of four, Theresa Grace Kennedy, was taught the value of hard work and family early on. Born to a blue-collar family, Theresa’s father labored in the shipbuilding industry for 24 years, while her mother enriched the lives of countless Mississippi children as a public school educator for nearly 40 years. As a staunch supporter of education, small businesses, and economic opportunities, Theresa believes every child in Mississippi deserves a quality education and every business deserves an equitable opportunity to thrive. She believes strong and healthy people breed strong and healthy communities, and strong and healthy communities breed strong and healthy economies, which create more jobs, and more opportunities for more Mississippians.

As a graduate of Mississippi’s only historically Black land-grant institution, Alcorn State University, where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Masters in Agricultural Economics, Theresa understands the importance and significance of rural farmers and communities, which is why she supports strategic investments that will contribute to the collective success of all of Mississippi. Theresa is committed to investing in worker power and the labor movement.

For more than 20 years, Theresa has worked and served the people of Senate District 26 as a business owner, community advocate, public voice, and policy expert. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and relationships required to advance the needs of District 26 in the Mississippi Legislature.