Black History Month Highlight: Rep. Marlene Terry

State Rep. Marlene “Yvonne” Terry was first elected to represent St. Louis County (District 66) in the Missouri House of Representatives in 2020. Her district includes Spanish Lake, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Glasgow Village, the City of Riverview, and Castle Point. 

Rep. Terry previously worked for two decades as an accounting clerk for BJC Healthcare and was the first African American elected to Riverview Gardens School Board. During her nine years of service, Terry held various leadership roles on the board, including secretary and vice president, and later served as the President of the School Board.

Rep. Terry is the former chairwoman of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus and the Founder of the Black Caucus Foundation of Missouri, established in 2024. She serves as the ranking minority member of the Legislative Review Committee, and also serves on the committees on  Corrections and Ethics, as well as the committee on Children and Families.

Born in St. Louis, Terry attended University City High School and UMSL. She attends Olivet Missionary Baptist Church in Florissant. She has two children and five grandchildren.