Bajoie, Diana

State Senator Diana Bajoie, representing the 5th District in the Louisiana State Senate, has served the citizens of Louisiana as an elected official for 27 years. She was first elected to the Louisiana House of Representative in 1976 where she focused on healthcare reform, educational advancement, and community based assistance programs. In 1991, Ms. Bajoie made history by becoming the first African American woman elected to the Louisiana State Senate. Some of her notable accomplishments include the creation of school based health clinics, the formation of the Minority Health Care Commission, increased healthcare coverage for citizens with mental health disorders as well as mandated coverage for mammography and other cancer screenings. Her steadfast efforts resulted in the creation of the Louisiana State Museum on Civil Rights, as well as the expansion of the New Orleans Convention Center. Currently, Senator Bajoie serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. She is the founder and former Chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. Some of her most notable honors include; the 2003 Louisiana Social Workers Public Servant of the Year Award, the 2002 Pfizer Visionary Leadership Award, and the 2002 Mayor's Medal of Honor. Senator Bajoie has taught at several private colleges and professional schools and also serves as a political and marketing consultant. Nationally, she serves as President of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women).