The Honorable Carolyn Fleming Hugley

Georgia House of Representatives – District 136

By Ruby Bridgeforth and Dr. Helen Johnson

In July 2022, United States Congress Woman Nikema Williams (who replaced Congressman John Lewis), Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, appointed Georgia House of Representative Carolyn Hugley as Co-Chairman of the Coordinated Campaign for the Democratic Party of Georgia. She is responsible for campaigning and fundraising for all candidates.  The theme of the campaign is “For One Georgia”.  This campaign focuses on the state working united to accomplish its goals. Carolyn’s responsibilities entail oversight for the campaign for U.S. Senator, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and all state and legislative races.

We asked Carolyn about her thoughts on the New Alumni Center Campaign.  She emphasized, “It is so important that we invest in and support our own institutions like our Dear Mother. We have the power and the dollars to make the change. We just need to release them!”

Rep. Carolyn Fleming Hugley was elected in 1992 to the Georgia House of Representatives. She is the first African American to serve as Minority Whip of the Georgia House of Representatives (2003-2018). Currently, Hugley is a member of the Rules Committee, Appropriations (Health Sub-Committee) and the Insurance Committee. She is a former chair of the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee and the Women’s Legislative Caucus. She currently co-chairs the Voting Rights Caucus and serves as a member of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and the Working Families Caucus. Carolyn is now in her 14th term representing District 136.

Rep. Hugley is committed to fighting for all Georgians and has dedicated her service to children and family issues. She is known for developing “real solutions for real people” through her work in education, health care, enhanced job opportunities and public safety. She has sponsored numerous bills to include anti-bullying legislation, legislation to keep widows of veterans in their homes, and legislation to keep sexual offenders out of school zones, anti-stalking legislation and compensation resolutions to compensate constituents who were wrongfully convicted.

Exceptional community service and leadership is the norm for Rep. Hugley. She’s a member of Franchise Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as Chair of Trustees, 2013 Honorary Chair Tuskegee–Morehouse Football Classic, and Honorary Chair Links Day at the Capitol 2019. Other key memberships include the Lower Chattahoochee Area Workforce Investment Board, Vice Chair Board of Directors of SISTERS, Inc, Life member and Silver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc., Columbus, Georgia Chapter. She is celebrated for developing mentoring and scholarship programs where she uses the resources of the community, Legislative office and her State Farm Insurance Agency to help young people turn their college dreams into reality.

Appreciation for Representative Hugley’s fine leadership and service has been recognized with numerous awards from local, state, national and international organizations. A park has even been named in her honor. Key awards include the UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association Hall of Fame, J.U.G.S International, Incorporated Women of Action Honoree NBCSL (National Conference of Black State Legislators) Crystal Excellence Award-2009 and 2010, UNCF Mask Award, Muscogee County Democratic Party- Jack Brinkley Service Award, NAACP Humanitarian Award, NAACP President’s Award, Women’s Hall of Fame Award, Mayors Commission on Unity and Diversity Distinguished Woman Award, Legislator of the Year; Citizen of the Year Lambda Iota Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity 2010, Georgia Legislator of the Year, the Georgia Municipal Association’s Champion of Georgia Cities Award, the Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award, Concharty Council of the Girl Scout’s Woman of Achievement Award. She also holds the recognition as a Gracious Lady of Georgia.

Rep. Hugley was born in Forrest City, Arkansas.  The daughter of the late Arkansas Educators Ruby and Walker Fleming, Jr. (AM&N  College classes of 1945 & 1949 respectively) Carolyn earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with Summa Cum Laude Honors at  the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (class of 1979), and Mississippi State University awarded her a master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration. Carolyn is a 31-year Independent Contractor Agent for State Farm Insurance Company, Columbus, Georgia.

She is married to Columbus City Manager, Isaiah Hugley. They have two children, Kimberly and Isaiah, Jr., three grandchildren, Kandyce, Adam, and Isaiah, III, and a great grandchild, Kaydance.