Biography of Rep. Regina Ashford Barrow

Regina Barrow believes that everyone was born out of purpose, for purpose. She believes that it is incumbent upon us as adults to mentor our children. It is Regina’s belief that everyone should sow something into a child’s life whether it’s your child or your neighbors’. We are our children’s greatest teachers, and we should teach them about the Love of God, the Love of others and the Love of themselves.

Regina is a native of Wilkinson County, Mississippi. Her parents Carlton and Essie, moved to Gonzales, LA where she resided for 17 years. Regina and James Barrow, Sr are the proud parents of Shanrika and James Jr. The Barrows now reside in North Baton Rouge. She is the PTA president at Louisiana New School Academy, former PTA president of Glen Oaks High School, former vice-president of Programs for Camp Fire Boys and Girls, a member of the Advisory Council for Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge, a member of the National Abstinence Clearing House, the Chamber of Greater Baton Rouge and Human Service Consortium. She and her family currently attend North Boulevard Macedonia Church pastored by Clifton Sanford, where she serves as the director of the Senior Care Ministry.

In 1985, Regina received her Associates Degree in Accounting from Baton Rouge School of Computers. She believes that education is one of the many keys to success and plans to further her education in the field of Business Administration.

Regina was formerly employed as the legislative assistant to former State Representative Sharon Weston Broome. In 2005, Regina filled Mrs. Broome’s vacant position as Louisiana State Representative of District 29 after Mrs. Broome was elected to the State Senate. Representative Barrow also worked as an administrative assistant at Inner Reflections, a private Christian counseling agency. Most recently, Rep. Barrow was the executive director of R§Z UP LOUISIANA, a burgeoning non-profit organization, whose work with at-risk youth has been nationally recognized.

As the State Representative of District 29, which encompasses parts of East and West Baton Rouge Parish, Regina has been actively involved in her position. She is on the Commerce Committee, Education Committee, and the Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committees. Through her position as a State Representative, she has been an active participant in the projects of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program, the Foster Grandparents Program, and the Baton Rouge Black Chamber of Commerce. Representative Barrow is also proud that she has been an integral part in the passing of some very pertinent pieces of legislation, most recently, House Bill 775 which is now Act 264. This bill provides for the tuition payments for National Guard members who re-enlist in the guard to receive a degree upward to a doctorate degree

Rep. Barrow has received many awards and accolades for her work with young people. Her hard work and dedication have been recognized with certificates in the following areas: National Abstinence Educator, Grassroots Preparation through the Leadership Institute, Community Organization Training through Volunteer Baton Rouge, and PEW Civic Entrepreneur Initiative Leadership and Workforce Development through PEW Charitable Trust Foundation. In 2001, she was the proud recipient of the YWCA - Young Woman of Achievement Award. In 2005, Baton Rouge Business Report named her among its Top 40 under 40.

Rep. Barrow believes the ability to lead others and influence change are important ingredients to leadership. Her leadership over the past years has done both.

To make a difference is good, but to make the difference is better.