Dawn's Story
Dawn White is a lifelong conservative Republican. Growing up in Eagleville as the daughter of Gloria Jean and Dwight Throneberry, Dawn learned the importance of faith, family, and giving back to her community. Dawn attended Rutherford County Schools and is a proud graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and Education Specialist in Administration and Supervision degrees.
Dawn met her husband Chad at MTSU. After marrying in 2001, they lived in Smyrna for approximately 10 years.
For seven years, Dawn worked as a kindergarten teacher in the Murfreesboro City School System at Black Fox Elementary. There, she experienced firsthand the issues facing Tennessee’s educators and recognized the need to improve the standing of Tennessee students among their peers across the country. Dawn also came to realize the critical role of parental involvement in a child’s success in school, and in life. As a teacher, she came to know many families who were struggling to make ends meet and provide for their children.
Dawn’s love of community service led her to become involved with organizations whose work addresses some of our community’s greatest needs. Recognizing that the government cannot solve all of society’s problems, she has spent years volunteering with organizations across Rutherford County in efforts to improve the lives people in our community.
In 2005, Dawn felt the call of entrepreneurship. She became an owner of TheVacuumCenter.com and eventually started TheSewingCenter.com, online retailers of vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, and related parts and supplies. Through hard work, Dawn tripled the size of her business and provided both full-time and part-time jobs for numerous people in Rutherford County. Her office and warehouse space were located in Smyrna until the business was sold in 2015.
Dawn’s journey as a small business owner took her down the paths of budgeting and balance sheets, watching expenses and making payroll: week in and week out. Over the years, she learned how to produce an environment for maximum growth. Dawn knows what it takes to make things happen.
Dawn and Chad currently live in Murfreesboro, and they are active members of LifePoint Church in Smyrna. She was elected to serve as State Representative for the 37th District (covering portions of La Vergne, Smyrna, Murfreesboro, Walter Hill and Leanna) in 2012 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2016.
In 2018, Dawn was elected to serve as State Senator for the 13th District (covering the western half of Rutherford County, including Eagleville, Rockvale, Smyrna, La Vergne, Blackman, Leanna and portions of Murfreesboro and Walter Hill).
