20 Facts About Marilyn Lloyd

Rachel Marilyn Lloyd was an American politician and businesswoman who served ten terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 until 1995.

Marilyn Lloyd graduated from Western Kentucky College High School, a high school that associated with what is Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1945.

Marilyn Lloyd owned radio station WTTI in Dalton, Georgia, and Executive Aviation in Winchester, Tennessee.

Marilyn Lloyd had three daughters from her marriage to Davison, and a son from her marriage to Marilyn Lloyd.

Mort Marilyn Lloyd was a popular television anchor at WDEF-TV in Chattanooga, who had entered the 1974 Democratic primary for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district, to oppose two-term incumbent Republican Congressman LaMar Baker.

Marilyn Lloyd became the first woman ever elected to Congress from Tennessee for a full term.

Marilyn Lloyd was considered a conservative Democrat by national standards, but a moderate by Tennessee standards.

Marilyn Lloyd often broke with the Democratic Party's national leadership, her views reflecting those of her conservative-minded district.

Marilyn Lloyd served on the House Science Committee for her entire congressional career.

Marilyn Lloyd was a strong advocate for the Clinch River Breeder Reactor project in Oak Ridge.

Marilyn Lloyd served on the Committee on Public Works, on the Armed Services Committee, and on the House Select Committee on Aging for much of her congressional career.

When women members of the House formed a Women's Caucus in 1977, Marilyn Lloyd was one of three congresswomen who declined membership, presumably because she feared alienating her constituents.

Marilyn Lloyd later joined the caucus but resigned in 1980 over political disagreements.

Marilyn Lloyd cosponsored legislation related to women's health, notably the Mammography Quality Standards Act, which was enacted in 1992.

Marilyn Lloyd advocated for the availability of breast implants for reconstructive surgery.

Marilyn Lloyd's fight with cancer led her to reverse her longstanding opposition to abortion; she announced on the floor of the House that having to fight to make decisions about her treatment "that should have been mine alone" led to her change of heart on the issue.

Marilyn Lloyd lost badly in Hamilton County, home to Chattanooga, and retained her seat only due to a strong showing in the Oak Ridge area.

That election was one of only two times since Marilyn Lloyd left office that the Democrats have cleared the 40 percent mark in the district.

Subsequent to her retirement from Congress, Marilyn Lloyd maintained a fairly low profile other than her advocacy for victims of domestic violence.

Marilyn Lloyd died on September 19,2018, aged 89, at her home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from an undisclosed reason.