Delegate Roslyn C. “Roz” Tyler of Sussex says she has always wanted to help people. Since 2006, the 56-year-old has represented a district in the House of Delegates that runs from Dinwiddie County to Emporia and Isle of Wight County.

She now holds a top leadership role as chairwoman of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. She says she took on the new role because she wants African-Americans and other underrepresented groups to continue to have a strong voice in Virginia’s legislative process.

The 2017 Virginia General Assembly started Wednesday and will consider laws impacting all facets of life for Virginians. The VLBC, with 18 members, plans to put forth an aggressive agenda during this year’s legislative session. Among them are expansion of early voting in Virginia, increasing the minimum wage and more funding for K-12 public education and higher education.

When she isn’t helping to shape the Virginia legislature, Delegate Tyler, a professional physical therapist, is a clinical coordinator of rehabilitative services at Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center in Emporia.

She was drawn to the profession after observing the care her mother received as she recuperated from a stroke. “I was impressed with the motivation and encouragement of the physical therapists because they helped my mother return to a functional lifestyle,” she says.

Delegate Tyler says the encouragement of her family has been a great motivator and helped fuel her success in public and private life.

“I felt that this was a career that I could enjoy because it presented an opportunity for me to make a difference,” she says. Delegate Tyler recommends that people make a difference by letting their voices be heard during this legislative session. She says people can find out what the issues are and what legislators are proposing and how they vote on issues by visiting the General Assembly website: www.virginiageneralassembly.com.

The site also provides information on how to get in touch with all 140 of Virginia’s lawmakers via telephone, email and mail.

Meet an advocate for the people and this week’s Personality, Delegate Roslyn C. “Roz” Tyler.

Latest leadership role: Chairwoman, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

Duties of position: To make sure we continue to address issues that affect our economic, education, political and social positions for African-Americans and other underrepresented groups.

Date and place of birth: July 18 in Emporia.

Current residence: Sussex County.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s in biology, Virginia State University; bachelor’s in physical therapy, Old Dominion University; and master’s in education, Virginia State University.

Family: Husband, Rufus Tyler Sr.; four children, Rufus Tyler Jr., Ronecia, Rosche and Rameka; and one granddaughter, MacKenzie.

How long a member of the Virginia House of Delegates: Since 2006.

District she represents in the legislature: 75th District, which includes the City of Emporia and part of Franklin, Greensville and Brunswick counties and part of Dinwiddie, Isle of Wight, Lunenburg, Southampton, Surry and Sussex counties.

Why I accepted chairmanship of Virginia Legislative Black Caucus: I wanted to continue to provide the leadership needed to make sure that the Legislative Black Caucus continues to have a strong voice in the Virginia General Assembly and in the Commonwealth.

When elected VLBC chairwoman: December 2016.

Length of term: Two years.

Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is necessary because: I believe we are the voice of the African-American and underrepresented groups in the Commonwealth.

Number of members in the VLBC: 18.

VLBC’s No. 1 objective: Education is always one of our main goals, and not just making higher education affordable, but also preserving K-12 public education and creating other career paths.

Strategy for achieving it: Well, first it’s the basics — the budget. The budget is always our No. 1 concern to protect education funding and to maintain health care options and social services.

Top issues the VLBC will focus on during the 2017 General Assembly session: In addition to education, voting rights is still a big issue. The VLBC disagrees with efforts aimed at disenfranchising citizens. We want to focus on early voting because we want voters to have easy access to vote. Other issues are increasing the minimum wage and criminal justice reform.

Perception of the VLBC by other members of the legislature: Very well respected. We bring diversity of knowledge and abilities to the legislature. Also, we bring a knowledge base that many may not be aware of.

Status of African-American involvement in Virginia politics: I think we’ve made big strides over the years by making people aware that every vote counts. The most recent election is evidence and an example of that.

Politics is: Participation that everyone should be involved with to make positive changes in our communities and our state.

What the VLBC can do to advance economic justice: Economic and workforce development is dependent not just on higher education, but training that will develop skills.

What influenced you to become involved in politics: I was voted to the Sussex County Board of Supervisors. In rural communities, I became a spokesperson for the elderly. I brought attention to water issues and health care.

A good political leader: Is one who listens and is willing to work hard for the community they serve.

Best late-night snack: Microwave popcorn.

Outlook at start of day: Every morning when I get up, I say, “Thank you, Lord, for helping me live to see another day.”

Outlook at end of day: I’ve done my best to make a positive change in someone’s life.

When people first meet me they think: That I’m friendly and easy to talk to.

No. 1 pet peeve: Disorganization.

Person who influenced me the most: I think my mother influences my behavior quite a bit as far as motivation, and the same with my husband. They feed my motivation, with a focus on doing the best I can and letting the good Lord do the rest.

The book that influenced me the most: “James Weldon Johnson,” Black Americans of Achievement series by Jane Tolbert-Rouchaleau.

What I’m reading now: “Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say! Saving Your Child from a Troubled World” by Judge Glenda Hatchett.

The one thing that I’ve learned in life is: Treat people the way you want to be treated.

My next goal: To retire in a few years and just travel around and enjoy our beautiful country.