Thompson was born in
Booth, Texas, and raised in Houston. She has a
Bachelor of Science in biology and a
Master's degree in education from
Texas Southern University; a
Juris Doctor from the
Thurgood Marshall School of Law; and a
Master of Law in
international law from the
University of Houston. Thompson has two adult children, one grandson, one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter. She represents
House District 141, which covers northeast Houston and the Humble area. A notable piece of legislation she wrote is the
Texas puppy mill bill. Thompson also advises the
United Negro College Fund in Texas. In October 2020, she filed to run for
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, but the Republican Party retained control of the chamber in the November 2020 election. On May 30, 2021, she described her own family's struggles to exercise their right to vote to fellow Texas House Democrats as they strategized how to block Senate Bill 7. At 11:00 p.m., the Democrats staged a walkout of the House chamber to block a vote on the bill before the midnight deadline. Since 2021,Thompson has held the title of "Dean of the House", having served longer in the legislature than any other woman or
African-American person in Texas history. She shares the title with representative
Tom Craddick who is the longest serving male representative. On June 2, 2025, it was announced that a portrait of her likeness, painted by
Kermit Oliver, would be put on display in the
Texas Capitol in recognition of her service. == Personal life ==