{{Short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Joy Walters | education = [[Wiley College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Princeton Theological Seminary]] ([[Master of Divinity|MDIV]])<br>[[Emory University]] ([[Master of Theology|THM]]) | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | state_house = Louisiana | district = 4th | term_start = January 8, 2024 | predecessor = [[Cedric Glover]] }}

'''Daryl Joy Walters''' is an American politician currently serving as a member of the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]] from the 4th district, representing [[Caddo Parish]]. She assumed office on January 8, 2024.

== Early life and education == Walters is a native of [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy from [[Wiley College]], an M.Div. from [[Princeton Theological Seminary]], and a Th.M. from [[Emory University]]. Additionally, she holds a specialized certificate from [[Yale University]]’s Women’s Campaign School.<ref name="KTBS">{{Cite news |date=2023-08-20 |title=Louisiana State Representative District 4 - Joy Walters |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/arklatex-politics/vote/louisiana-state-representative-district-4---joy-walters/article_1a8de566-3f82-11ee-a84b-db0903d35d31.html |access-date=2024-05-18 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="LeadersOfColor">{{Cite web |title=Louisiana Education Champion WINS Run-Off Election for State Rep Seat |url=https://www.leadersofcolor.net/post/louisiana-state-representative-district-4-joy-walters |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Leaders of Color}}</ref>

== Career == Before her election, Walters worked as an aide for the [[Louisiana State Senate]] and also served as an aide to former U.S. Senator [[Mary Landrieu]].<ref name="KTBS"/> In November 2023, she won the election for the 4th district seat in the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]], defeating [[Jasmine Green]] with 54% of the vote.<ref name="KTBSRunoff">{{Cite news |date=2023-11-18 |title=Walters defeats Green in runoff State Representative District 4 race |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/walters-defeats-green-in-runoff-state-representative-district-4-race/article_916d7d34-8683-11ee-8b92-379b8974c0c4.html |access-date=2024-05-18 |language=en}}</ref>

In the Louisiana House, Walters serves on the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, Labor and Industrial Relations, and Transportation, Highways and Public Works committees.<ref name="LAHouseMembers">{{Cite web |title=Louisiana House of Representatives Members |url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members?ID=4 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Louisiana House of Representatives}}</ref> She is also a member of the [[Louisiana Democratic Caucus]], the [[Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus]], and the [[Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus]].<ref name="LAHouseMembers"/>

Walters has been involved in various legislative initiatives, including advocating for absentee voting rights for incarcerated voters and opposing measures that limit home study programs.<ref name="NewLouisiana">{{Cite web |title=Joy Walters - Legislator Score 4/10 |url=https://www.newlouisiana.org |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=New Louisiana}}</ref>

== Personal life == Walters is a member of [[Delta Sigma Theta]], having been initiated in the Alpha Iota Chapter. She is also an active member of the Mount Canaan Missionary Baptist Church.<ref name="LeadersOfColor"/>

== References == <references />

{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-la-hs}} {{succession box | before=[[Cedric Glover]] | title=[[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana State Representative for<br />District 4 (Caddo Parish)]] | years=2024&ndash; | after=Incumbent}} {{s-end}}

{{Louisiana House of Representatives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walters, Joy}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Democratic Party members of the Louisiana House of Representatives]] [[Category:21st-century members of the Louisiana State Legislature]] [[Category:Women state legislators in Louisiana]] [[Category:Emory University alumni]] [[Category:Wiley University alumni]] [[Category:African-American state legislators in Louisiana]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:21st-century American women politicians]] [[Category:21st-century African-American politicians]] [[Category:21st-century African-American women politicians]]