Butler, a native of Rutherford County, was raised on a family farm designated as a "Century Farm" by the state for 100 years of family operation. She attended Murfreesboro city and Rutherford County schools and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she majored in political science.

While in college, she worked in the General Assembly for the chair of the Shelby County delegation.

After graduation, she was hired by the Democratic National Committee and went to Seattle, Wash., as a political organizer and fund-raiser. She later served on the staff of a Seattle-area congressman, working on constituent issues.

She was active in various organizations and was National Third-Vice Chair of the National Political Congress of Black Women, under the leadership of the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm.

While pursuing a master's degree in education from the University of London, she worked as a researcher for a member of the British House of Commons. She also holds a master's in teaching from Belmont University in Nashville and is certified in early childhood education.

She is a member of Elder's Chapel United Methodist Church in Smyrna, where she has served in various leadership positions.

"As a native of this area, I am familiar with its changes and the challenges that it faces as we adjust to a changing local and state-wide population," she said.

"As a licensed and certified former public and private school teacher, a former member of the Tennessee Education Association, and a substitute teacher in the Rutherford County School System, I am familiar with the issues that face our area school systems and what people who work with our children are saying is needed to keep the state's students and educational system competitive in the twenty-first century.

"I am a supporter of the "Books From Birth" program and strong early literacy programs. I have participated in Governor Bredesen's Pre-K Institute, which brings in top facilitators from around the country to work with Early Childhood Education professionals from across the state, to facilitate excellence in the pre-kindergarten classroom. I know the importance of hard work and a good education in one's life, for I believe that education is an 'equalizer' in our society. Thus, I am a strong proponent of the Tennessee HOPE lottery scholarship program to enable Tennessee students the ability to get ahead in life, to succeed and build a stronger more vibrant future for the state and its working families.

"I am a believer in a greener tomorrow. I support the early education of our students and community in the need to rethink the way we interact with our environment. This includes the implementation of recycling education in our school curriculum, as well as an increased community awareness of the need to reduce, recycle and reuse resources in our homes and workplaces. In addition, I support the passage of legislation to end toxic waste dumping in our community landfills, and working toward the reduction of our state's 'carbon footprint.'

"As a Neighborhood Watch block captain, I am a strong supporter of Neighborhood Watch programs. I support the involvement of our citizenry working in partnership with local law enforcement personnel to strengthen our neighborhoods through the involvement and awareness of its residents.

"I believe that, in a changing world, our communities need visionary leadership to keep them moving in a forward and positive direction. I believe that I have both the solid foundation in the area's past as well as the energy and experience to ensure a competitive and thriving future for Tennessee and the 16th Senatorial District."

Butler has a web site at myspace.com/deefortennessee.