Biography

Representative Tamara Grigsby joined the Wisconsin Legislature in January, 2005, as Representative to the 18th Assembly District in Milwaukee.

Representative Grigsby's path has been directed by her life in Wisconsin and her commitment to strengthening the lives of children and families.  After graduating from Madison Memorial High School in 1992, she received her Bachelor of Science from Howard University in 1997 and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2000. Upon receiving her Masters Degree, Representative Grigsby went to work as a family social worker in Milwaukee. There, she focused on mentoring youth, assisting parents involved in the child welfare system, and empowering struggling families in Milwaukee's diverse communities.

Building on her practices as a social worker, Representative Grigsby joined the Milwaukee office of the Wisconsin Council on Children & Families, where she served as a program manager, and lectured at the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee until her election to the Wisconsin Legislature in November, 2004. Working with the Council, she collaborated on efforts to reduce racial disparities and improve programs related to Wisconsin's child welfare system. Early in her career, Representative Grigsby's work quickly led to an interest in advocating for changes to the institutions that affect struggling people throughout Wisconsin. She became a vocal advocate, not only for changes to child welfare and W-2, but also for improvements to education, criminal justice, and all systems serving children and families.

Through her new positions as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Children and Families and Member of the Joint Committee on Finance, Representative Grigsby continues to advocate for the same issues she championed as a local activist and social worker. Her leadership has been recognized by organizations such as the Flemming Leadership Institute and the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) and has taken her places as far as South Africa, Israel, and the West Bank. In addition, she continues to serve as a local volunteer and participant in multiple civic organizations, including the NAACP, the Sherman Park Neighborhood Association, and the National Association of Social Workers. As Representative to the 18th Assembly District, she is dedicated to fulfilling her responsibilities in Madison and sees her role as being a “voice for the people” concerned with the health, strength, and security of Wisconsin's families.

Representative Grigsby, 34, lives on Milwaukee’s northwest side. In addition to her duties as a state representative, she currently teaches a course on social welfare methods and policy at Cardinal Stritch University.