NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Governor Bill Lee has ordered flags at the State Capitol to fly at half-staff Wednesday in honor of former State Senator Thelma Harper as she lies in state at the Capitol.

Senator Harper passed away on April 22. She was the first African American woman elected to Tennessee’s State Senate and the longest-serving female senator in Tennessee history.

Harper, who left office in 2018, backed key legislation in her 30-year tenure that focused mostly on the needs of women and children.

She also sponsored the bill that would change the name of part of Metro Center to Rosa Parks Boulevard.