Summary:

Bio:

Born and raised in Austin, she graduated from Reagan High School and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing (1974) and a master's in health education (1977), both from the University of Texas.

She has worked as a critical care nurse at Brackenridge and Seton hospitals, served as the first hospital-based Patient Education Coordinator in Austin, and helped get the Seton Good Health School off the ground. She has also been president of the Texas Nurses' Association (District 5) and a Health Education instructor at UT.

A recognized expert on public education, Howard served on the Eanes ISD board in West Austin from 1996 to 1999. She was a co-founder of Advocates for Eanes Schools and helped start the Texas Education Crisis Coalition, both grassroots organizations advocating for Texas public schools.

Certified as a Master School Trustee by the Texas Association of School Boards, Howard has served on the boards of the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Common Cause, and the Texas Freedom Network, and is currently a board member of the Expanding Horizons Foundation, supporting low-income housing and education.

During the 80th Legislative Session, Rep. Howard was appointed to the Higher Education and Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committees. She also co-founded the Legislative Air Quality Caucus; a bipartisan group of more than forty legislators that worked to bring together House members and state and local officials in an effort to begin a dialog about how Texas can utilize the cleanest possible energy for the healthiest possible air. Since the end of session, Rep. Howard has received recognition for her work on health care, the environment, and historic preservation from several organizations including the Austin Business Journal, the Texas Hospital Association, the Sierra Club, and the Heritage Society of Austin.

Married to Austin attorney Derek Howard, the couple has three children, all educated in Austin-area public schools. Howard and her family are active in their neighborhood and in their church, where she has served on the board.