Tamara Grigsby

Tamara Grigsby
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 18th district
In office January 3, 2005 – January 7, 2013
Preceded by	Lena Taylor
Succeeded by	Evan Goyke
Personal details
Born	November 19, 1974 Pullman, Washington, U.S.
Died	March 14, 2016 (aged 41) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Howard University (BA) University of Wisconsin–Madison (MSW)
Profession	Social worker, university professor

Tamara D. Grigsby (November 19, 1974 – March 14, 2016) was an American social worker, academic, and politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly by representing the 18th Assembly District from 2005 until 2013.

Early life and education

Born in Pullman, Washington, Grigsby graduated from James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, Wisconsin. She received her bachelor's degree from Howard University and received her master's degree from University of Wisconsin–Madison in social work.

Career

Grigsby taught at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Carroll University, and Cardinal Stritch University and was a social worker and family counselor.

Grigsby was first elected to the Assembly in 2004 to succeed fellow Democrat Lena Taylor, winning the September Democratic primary election by an absolute majority (3,231 votes to 1,820 for her two opponents), and facing no opposition in the general election. She was assigned to the standing committees on children and families; criminal justice and homeland security; on public health; and on tourism. 2008 and 2010.

Illness and death

Grigsby's staff announced on December 22, 2011, that she was hospitalized in intensive care, battling cancer. In April 2012, Grigsby announced she would be retiring from the Assembly to recover her strength. She died on March 14, 2016, in Madison, Wisconsin.