Central Georgia News

State Representative Lauren Daniel (R-Locust Grove) recently recounted her personal journey to motherhood on the House floor during a legislative session. Her experiences as a teenage mother and the gratitude she expressed for the support she received ignited discussions among fellow lawmakers about her transition from early motherhood to becoming Georgia's youngest female legislator.

According to a Georgia General Assembly press release, Daniel shared, "I want to thank Speaker Burns and Pro Tem Jones for the kindness that has been shown to me as a new mother. I have brought my son with me to the Capitol every day over the past two weeks, but I want to tell you why this is so important to me personally. At 17 years old as a junior in high school, I found out I was pregnant. My son was born at the beginning of my senior year, and I was told by school administrators that I should no longer attend school in person because I was a distraction."

Daniel further disclosed how her counselor had advised her against applying for college, saying less than 50 percent of teenage mothers ever graduate high school, let alone college. However, she defied these odds: "Not only did I finish high school on time, but I am also part of the two percent of teenage mothers who have gone on to earn a college degree before the age of 30."

As per another Georgia General Assembly press release, Daniel recently expanded her family with the birth of her fourth child.

The Institute for Women's Policy Research reports that in Georgia, 23 percent of undergraduates or 108,200 students are parents. Among these students, 49,830 are single mothers.

A further press release from the Georgia General Assembly reveals that Daniel serves as District 117 representative covering parts of Henry and Spalding counties. Elected to the House in 2022, she holds secretary positions in both Education and State Planning & Community Affairs committees while also being a member of the Transportation Committee.