Highlighting Berdetta Hodge
By Nicole Allen, Spring 2026 Intern
We are excited to highlight Berdetta Hodge and share our appreciation for her work in Tempe. Hodge is the first African American woman elected to the Tempe City Council, which has been around since 1894. Even as people of African descent have been working and living in Tempe for decades, representation on the council had been nonexistent until 2022 when Hodge was elected. Likewise, Hodge is also the first African American woman elected to the Tempe Union High School Board. This impacts future African American leaders by allowing them to see themselves in her. Even as representation at the larger levels is noted more often, representation is vital at local levels as well because these are the representatives that are more accessible.
As a member of the Tempe City Council, Hodge is responsible to tens of thousands of constituents in Tempe and has impacted their lives for the better through her service. This includes initiating a partnership with Sandy Hook Promise. While countless school boards have stood in solidarity with Sandy Hook Promise, Tempe is the first city in the nation after Newtown, Connecticut to adopt a resolution. This means that the City of Tempe now officially supports Sandy Hook Promise and is enlisting their help to inform Tempe residents on gun violence prevention and intervention. Notably, this is a direct result of Hodge’s efforts to make Tempe and its schools more safe.
Conversely, Hodge has also concretely impacted the lives of students by utilizing her position on the Tempe High School Board to advocate for students with disabilities. Hodge has pushed for the school board to expand its scope of what additional services looks like in order to provide every resource possible for students to succeed. Likewise, she has also gently yet firmly challenged school administrators to be intentional about meeting the needs of all students.
While Hodge’s commitment to public service and education is inspiring, it is no surprise that the city of Tempe would be so close to Hodge’s heart given her roots here. Hodge was raised in Tempe and has lived here for over 40 years. She attended Tempe public schools growing up and graduated from the same district that she now resides over as part of the school board. Having resided in Tempe for the majority of her life, Hodge now serves the city as one of its own. Consequently, Hodge is running for a second term on the Tempe City Council, and we here at Arizona List are thrilled to give our support and endorse her as one of our candidates. If you would like to join Hodge’s efforts in making an impact in Tempe or have any questions, feel free to check out her website! hodgefortempe.com/join-our-movement
Holden, A. (2024, September 6). Tempe votes to adopt new ordinance to ban brass knuckles in public. ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV). https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/teen-violence/tempe-votes-to-adopt-new-ordinance-to-ban-brass-knuckles-in-public
Hodge, B. (n.d.-a). Berdetta Hodge biography. btwchild. https://www.btwchild.org/berdetta-hodge-biography
Sandy Hook Promise. (2025). Sandy Hook promise applauds the city of Tempe for its commitment to violence prevention — Sandy Hook Promise. sandyhookpromise.org. https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/press-releases/applauding-the-city-of-tempe-for-its-commitment-to-violence-prevention/
Hodge, B. (n.d.-c). Berdetta Hodge, councilmember | city of Tempe, AZ. tempe.gov. https://www.tempe.gov/government/mayor-and-city-council/berdetta-hodge-councilmember
Staff, A. N., & Hodge), (Courtesy of Berdetta. (2024, February 14). Tempe Union Board member casts big impact. Ahwatukee Foothills News. https://www.ahwatukee.com/news/tempe-union-board-member-casts-big-impact/article_7a6f0e9e-c9d7-11ee-9f51-8ff0d134d5ca.html