Irma Muse Dixon
Encyclopedia
Irma Muse Dixon was the first African-American elected to the Louisiana Public Service Commission
(PSC). Commissioner Dixon represented the Third District on PSC from 1992 (replacing Louis Lambert
) through reelection in 1998 to the term ending in 2004. Dixon previously represented House District 95 in the Louisiana Legislature for 4 years (elected 1988, reelected 1991) immediately prior to being elected to PSC in 1992. Dixon's 12 years of service on PSC brought her a commendation from the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners in 2004.
Dixon's losing races occurred in 2002, 2004, and 2007:
A graduate of Walter L. Cohen Senior High School, Dixon obtained her B.A.
from Southern University
. She holds the degree of MSW
from Tulane University
and is a fellow of Harvard University
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
.
Dixon has served in state government with the Office of Employment Training and Development and as an undersecretary in the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; and in New Orleans city government as Director of the Department of Recreation. She is a security manager for Xyant Technology. She is active in the Urban League, the Boys and Girls Club of New Orleans, the YWCA
, and New Orleans' Second Baptist Church. In 2009 she was chosen to head Beacon of Hope, a New Orleans charitable organization.
Louisiana Public Service Commission
Louisiana Public Service Commission is an independent regulatory agency which manages public utilities and motor carriers in Louisiana. The commission has five elected members chosen in single-member districts for staggered six-year terms...
(PSC). Commissioner Dixon represented the Third District on PSC from 1992 (replacing Louis Lambert
Louis Lambert
Louis Joseph Lambert, Jr. , is a Louisiana attorney, businessman, former member and chairman of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, and a former Louisiana state senator....
) through reelection in 1998 to the term ending in 2004. Dixon previously represented House District 95 in the Louisiana Legislature for 4 years (elected 1988, reelected 1991) immediately prior to being elected to PSC in 1992. Dixon's 12 years of service on PSC brought her a commendation from the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners in 2004.
Dixon's losing races occurred in 2002, 2004, and 2007:
- 2002 in challenging then incumbent William J. JeffersonWilliam J. JeffersonWilliam Jennings "Bill" Jefferson is a former American politician, and a published author from the U.S. state of Louisiana. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for nine terms from 1991 to 2009 as a member of the Democratic Party. He represented , which includes much of the...
to represent Louisiana's 2nd congressional districtLouisiana's 2nd congressional districtLouisiana's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The district contains nearly all of the city of New Orleans , and some of its suburbs, including the West Bank portion of Jefferson Parish and South South Kenner.The district is currently represented... - 2004 in seeking re-election to PSC District 3 (She was third behind Cleo FieldsCleo FieldsCleo Fields is a lawyer and politician. He is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana....
and Lambert Boussiere III; Boussiere won the runoff.) - 2007 in running for the open seat in Louisiana Senate District 5, vacated when incumbent Diana Bajoie was obliged out by term limits (The runoff election was between Cheryl A. Gray EvansCheryl A. Gray EvansCheryl Artise Gray Evans represented District 5 in the Louisiana Senate prior to her resignation in 2009. She formerly served in the Louisiana House of Representatives .-Background:...
and Jalila Jefferson-BullockJalila Jefferson-BullockJalila Eshe Jefferson-Bullock was a state representative in the Louisiana Legislature from 2004 to 2007, representing House District 91, which she won from Rosalind Peychaud in a general election after losing to Peychaud in an earlier special election.-Education:After finishing Benjamin Franklin...
; Evans won.)
A graduate of Walter L. Cohen Senior High School, Dixon obtained her B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Southern University
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...
. She holds the degree of MSW
MSW
-Computers:*Microsoft Windows, an operating system*Machine Status Word, a data segment in the LOADALL instruction set for Intel 286 processors*Microsoft Office Word, a proprietary word processor-Science and Engineering:...
from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
and is a fellow of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
.
Dixon has served in state government with the Office of Employment Training and Development and as an undersecretary in the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; and in New Orleans city government as Director of the Department of Recreation. She is a security manager for Xyant Technology. She is active in the Urban League, the Boys and Girls Club of New Orleans, the YWCA
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
, and New Orleans' Second Baptist Church. In 2009 she was chosen to head Beacon of Hope, a New Orleans charitable organization.