State Representative Shawn Thierry serves the Texas House from District 146 and has made history as the first and only woman to hold this position. An accomplished attorney with 27 years of experience, she is the principal at Hardwick Law Firm, LLC, specializing in public finance. Thierry is a graduate of Howard University and Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, marking her as a notable figure in both legal and legislative spheres. Elected for her fourth term, she currently holds the position of Vice-Chair on the House Ways and Means Committee and has also joined the House Energy Resources Committee.

Representative Thierry is widely recognized for her advocacy, particularly concerning maternal health issues, including maternal mortality and morbidity, which disproportionately affect women of color. Her policy-making efforts contribute to her reputation as a "voice for the voiceless," as she strives to bring attention and solutions to urgent societal problems.

Throughout her legislative career, Thierry has authored over 80 bills addressing various critical issues, including school safety, mental health, and human trafficking. A notable achievement includes authoring a resolution that commemorated March 7, 2023, as Texas Southern University Day at the State Capitol, a measure designed to reflect the university's contributions to education and its role as a historically Black institution.

Among her sponsored bills, House Bill 1824 significantly enhances Medicaid eligibility for new mothers, extending medical assistance post-pregnancy from six to twelve months. This legislation seeks to improve maternal healthcare outcomes and reflects Thierry’s commitment to addressing challenges in healthcare accessibility for women. Another essential bill, House Bill 1665, focuses on reimbursement structures for members of the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, encouraging their active participation in assessing health outcomes. Furthermore, she has championed House Bill 3725, which proposes Medicaid coverage for doula services, aiming to enhance maternal support systems for underserved communities.

Representative Thierry's alignment with issues surrounding maternal health and education indicates a legislative focus that might be categorized as progressive, particularly regarding social equity and healthcare policies. Her support for initiatives promoting education, women's health, and poverty alleviation resonates with advocacy for marginalized groups. However, as seen in the discussions around some of her bills, there can be contention regarding the sustainability of funding such initiatives and their impacts on state budgets.

Her service has not gone unnoticed: Thierry has been listed among the Top 30 Most Influential Women in Houston, evidencing her prominent role in both the legal and legislative domains.

Shawn Thierry lives her professional life intertwined with advocacy for her community. As a public servant, she actively engages in legislative practices aimed at uplifting underrepresented populations and addressing critical social issues through informed policy-making. Moreover, her role extends beyond legislation; her work reflects a deep commitment to fostering community ties and improving public health outcomes for families across Texas.