Donna Edwards

About

Louisiana First Lady Donna Hutto Edwards was born in Meridian, Mississippi, and moved with her family to Amite, Louisiana, where she met her future husband, Governor John Bel Edwards. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Mrs. Edwards has long been active in her community, supporting various organizations and school and church groups. Early in her marriage during the governor’s eight-year service as an Army Infantry Airborne ranger, the first lady volunteered her time and assistance to families of deployed Army service members.
While raising three children, Mrs. Edwards became a certified teacher and taught music for more than eight years. As Louisiana’s first lady, she continues to advocate for teachers, public education and music and arts education.

Though no longer in the classroom, her work continues as first lady. Donna has created the Louisiana First Foundation, which serves as a launching pad for programs that focus on educating the “whole child” through Teach MAM (Music, Art and Movement), advocating against human trafficking and providing greater resources to the state’s foster children and parents through Louisiana Fosters.

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have been married since 1989. They are the proud parents of three children: Samantha and son-in-law Jonathan, Sarah Ellen and John Miller.