HD 60 (D-Atlanta)

Described by citizens and colleagues as a "compassionate and fearless leader defending the rights of children and youth," Representative Georganna T. Sinkfield has been a civil servant of the people of Georgia for more than two decades. The South Carolina native earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tennessee State University and attended Emory University School of Law in 1979-80.

Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1982, from then‑District 37 in Atlanta-Fulton County, the senior legislator is former chair of the House Standing Committee on Children and Youth (13 years), and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Development. Her current committee assignments include: Banks and Banking, Children and Youth and Insurance.

Having begun her political tenure with legislation that preserved programs for often marginalized students, and later, authorizing legislation to create the Office of The Child Advocate, Representative Sinkfield has established herself as a champion of legislative solutions for all Georgians, particularly children and youth.

During her tenure as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Development, Representative Sinkfield ensured the availability of resources for the healthcare of senior citizens and Georgians with inadequate health insurance. In November 2002, a United Nations (UN) report revealed that for the first time in the 20‑year history of the AIDS epidemic, about as many women as men were infected with HIV. In true visionary spirit, prior to the release of the UN report, Representative Sinkfield and her committee had already provided uninsured Georgians with access to HIV/AIDS‑related drugs.

Representative Georganna Sinkfield was the first female chair elected to head the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. Georgia Trend Magazine named her one of the Most Influential People in the state. Numerous organizations have awarded Representative Sinkfield for her diligence and leadership. She received the Tom Murphy State Service Award for Health and Human Services Visions‑Compassion‑Courage. Representative Sinkfield participated in Leadership Atlanta and was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers in 1994.

The Georgia Gerontology Society recognized her with a Legislative Award for consistent support of aging issues that benefit older Georgians. The Council of Children, Inc. honored her with a Friend of Children Award. Members of the Georgians for Children organization presented her with the Champion Award. She also received the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Legislative Award and the Georgia Conservation Voters’ Environmental Leadership Award. Representative Sinkfield is a member of the East Point‑College Park Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has been a recipient of the Sorority’s Fortitude and Torch Award.

In addition to continuing her work on behalf of her district and all people of the state, Representative Sinkfield currently serves on the Georgia Child Fatality Review Panel, the State Commission on Domestic Violence, the Women’s Forum and the Board of Trustees for Georgia Women of Achievement.

Representative Georganna T. Sinkfield is an active member of St. Paul AME Church. She and her husband, Richard Sinkfield, have two children, Rita Denise and Richard III. The couple resides in Atlanta.