The 917 Society, Founders Club President Dr. Ming Wang and Vice President Lee Beaman are excited to welcome to the Founders club, United States Senator Marsha Blackburn.

Senator Blackburn grew up in Laurel, Mississippi, and graduated from Mississippi State University. When Marsha was 16 years old, she began her first job, working at a dress shop. She went to college on a 4-H scholarship and went on to sell educational books door to door for the Southwestern Company. Her mother often reminded her and her siblings to leave things in better shape than they found them – a principle that continues to guide her to this day. The exceptional work ethic that carried her through these experiences became a staple of her career and of her public service. Marsha learned that there is no substitute for ringing someone’s doorbell and listening to what they have to say: a lesson—and practice—she holds close to this day.

She and her husband Chuck have been married for 50 years and have two children and four grandchildren, who call her Marshie and look forward to Sunday lunches together after church.