Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes' Biography

La’Tasha D. Mayes (she/her) was elected to the House in 2022. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, she moved to Pittsburgh in 1999 to attend college and has been a dedicated community leader in the region for the past two decades. 

Mayes is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, and also earned a Master of Science degree in public policy & management at the Heinz School of Carnegie Mellon University. 

As the founder and former president and CEO of New Voices for Reproductive Justice for 18 years, Mayes garnered national attention and a statewide reputation as an unwavering advocate for improving the health and well-being of marginalized communities, especially Black women, femmes, girls, and gender-expansive folx. 

Mayes served on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs under Gov. Tom Wolf; was the inaugural Vice Chair of the Allegheny County Human Relations Commission that expanded civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ residents; and she has worked in both state government in a House district office and in local government supporting minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE). 

Mayes is the first woman to ever represent House District 24 and the first out lesbian to ever serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Mayes credits her mother, a single mom, Army veteran and union member, for sparking her passion for justice at a young age.