Derryberry elected to lead Human Rights Commission
Robin Derryberry of Chattanooga has been elected by fellow Tennessee Human Rights Commission members to serve as chairwoman of the commission.
Derryberry and her husband, Andy Derryberry, are principals at Derryberry Public Relations.
She will spend a two-year term as chairwoman. She was first appointed to the panel in 2015 by then House Speaker
Beth Harwell, R-Nashville.
Among the panel’s responsibilities is enforcement of the state’s anti-discrimination laws, which prohibit discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion and sex.
“It’s an honor to serve with my fellow commissioners on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission,” Derryberry said Friday. “I look forward to serving as chair and working to make this organization one of the best in the state of Tennessee.”
Beverly Watts, executive director of the Human Rights Commission, said they are “absolutely delighted” to have Derryberry as chairwoman.
“Commissioner Derryberry has been a commissioner who came in working,” Watts said. “That’s the kind of person we like … we look forward to working with her as the chair of this body.”
Commissioners are appointed to the nine-member board on a nonpartisan basis by the governor, the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House. They serve staggered six-year terms and are intended to be representative of employees, business owners, unions, religious groups, human rights groups and the general public. A chairperson is elected every two years.
Other commission responsibilities include ensuring the state of Tennessee complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin by state agencies receiving federal financial assistance.