Harper

Sen. Thelma Harper in 2014

Thelma Harper, who represented the Tennessee Senate's 19th District for three decades, has died. She was 80 years old.

The longtime Democrat and North Nashvillian was the longest-serving woman in Tennessee State Senate history. Known for her eye-catching wide-brimmed hats and no-nonsense rhetoric, Harper previously served two terms as a Metro councilmember in Nashville's District 2.

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