Debra Davis

Debra Davis is an American public speaker, educator, activist, author, and retired librarian. She is known for her work focusing on gender transitions. Davis worked as a high school librarian at Southwest High School in Minneapolis Public Schools. In May of 1998, Davis came out as a transgender woman making both local and national news. Following her retirement, Davis became the Executive Director of the Gender Education Center. She now travels throughout the country speaking at college campuses on LGBT issues. When she isn’t traveling for work, she spends her time in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Early life
Debra Davis was born as David Nielson in 1947. After gaining a Bachelor’s degree in education, a Master’s degree in media and technology, and post-graduate work in communications from the James P. Shannen Leadership Institute, Davis acquired a librarian position at Southwest High School in the Minneapolis Public Schools. According to Davis, she has always felt “different.” In May of 1998, Davis left her life as David Nielson, the Eagle Scout, college fraternity president, and president of a local church group. According to Davis in May of 1998, she “left school on Friday as a man and returned the following Monday as the woman, Debbie Davis.” This made her the only out transgender librarian at this time. Highly publicized in both local and national news, this transition is also believed to be one of the first successful transgender transition of a person that worked with children. Though the decision to go public was not accepted by everyone, the Southwest High School’s school board and many of its teachers and students were supportive of Davis. After coming out, Davis has helped and supported many transgender teens and adults.
Activism
After her retirement as a high school librarian in 2001, Davis joined the Gender Education Center as Executive Director. This non-profit organization provides support, advocacy, and education to all genders. Traveling throughout the United States speaking at college campuses, workplaces, and high schools on LGBT topics and issues. This outreach has helped inspire and support teens and college students throughout the country.

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