The Honorable L. Louise Lucas is a Portsmouth native and product of the Portsmouth Public School System. She is President/CEO of Lucas Lodge, Lucas Transportation, Portsmouth Day Support and Southside Direct Care Provider organizations operating in the Lucas Professional Center located in the City of Portsmouth.

 

Senator Lucas began her federal career as an Apprentice Shipfitter at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (July 1967) and became the first Woman Shipfitter (July 1971); Engineering Draftsman (1975), Naval Architect Technician (1976), Command Federal Women’s Program Manager, at CINCLANTFLT (1979) and finalizing her federal career as Equal Employment Manager at SUPSHIP from 1981 to 1985. Senator Lucas began a new career path as Interim Executive Director of The Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project (STOP) (1985 – 1986) and was appointed Executive Director in 1986 as the first Woman to hold the position.

 

Senator Lucas obtained her Bachelor of Science degree (Cum Laude) in Vocational-Industrial Education from Norfolk State University (1971); and her Master of Arts Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Human Resources Planning and Administration also from Norfolk State University (1982). Senator Lucas served as the Congressional Liaison for Sponsored Programs with Old Dominion University from July 1992 – June 1994; Assistant Professor, Department of Academic Affairs, Norfolk State University from July 1994 – April 1998; and Special Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement with Norfolk State University from April 1998 to December 1998.

 

Senator L. Louise Lucas was elected to the Virginia General Assembly November 1991 and continues to serve citizens of the 18th Senatorial District on the following Senate Committees: Finance; Courts of Justice; Education & Health and Commerce and Labor. She also serves on: Finance Sub-committee on Claims, Finance Sub-committee on General Government; Finance Sub-committee on Public Safety; Education Sub-committee on Health Licensing and, Courts of Justice Civil Sub-committee. Senator Lucas served on the Commission on State Funding for Public School Construction and the Governor’s Commission on Information & Technology and was appointed in 2010 to serve with the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. She remains a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

 

Senator Lucas was elected in June 1984 to serve the citizens of Portsmouth on the Portsmouth City Council where she was the top vote getter for that election, and the first African American woman to serve as Councilwoman. She has been involved in social, civic and political activities most of her adult life and has served in elective office for 38 years (1984-Present).

 

Senator Lucas has served on various community boards, commissions, civic and service organizations such as: Golden Heritage Member and Past President NAACP; Charter Member, Martin Luther King Leadership Steering Committee; Member Norfolk State University Alumni Association and is also a member of the following organizations: Golden Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; Member, Portsmouth Chapter Links, Inc.; Member, Brighton Light Chapter 118 Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation of Virginia. Senator Lucas has received countless awards and honors at the local, state and national level.

 

Senator Lucas is the mother of one son, Jeffery Lee Lucas (deceased 04-05-05) and two daughters, Lisa L. Lucas-Burke and Theresa Lynn Lucas-Lamb who partner with her in various business entities operating in the Lucas Professional Center. She has six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

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