Trans* Success

Debra “Debbie” Davis is an award-winning two spirited, transgender educator, activist and nationally renowned inspirational speaker, trainer and author.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s degree in Media and Technology, and has completed post-graduate work in  Communications.  Debbie is the new Executive Director and creative coordinator for “Spiritual Insights” an educational cooperative who’s sole purpose is to help spiritual seekers live in joy through inner peace & personal empowerment. They orchestrate, promote and produce events, workshops and seminars, focused on living in joy.


She is a retired high school librarian who came out in May of 1998 as a transgender woman (though she now considers herself to be two-spirited) at Southwest High School in the Minneapolis Public Schools.  This highly publicized transition was believed to be one of the first successful transitions in the nation, of a transgender person working with children in secondary education.  She worked successfully for the next three and one-half years in that position and recently retired after 32 years in education.  Debbie is also the founding Executive Director of the Gender Education Center, a small nonprofit organization of differently gendered people dedicated to support, advocacy and education.  Over the last 20 years they have presented over 1,100 workshops and presentations involving more than 45,000 participants.   She is consulted by employers, law enforcement, human rights agencies and nonprofit service providers regarding policies that affect transgender people and is especially effective in coordinating workplace transitions for transgender employees.

Debbie is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and conventions throughout the country.  Many colleges bring her to their campus to draw attention to LGBT issues.  Her dynamic, thought-provoking presentations move and inspire audiences.  She spends a great deal of time with her two grown daughters, their spouses and 5 awesome grandchildren.  Debbie makes no secret of the fact that she is transgender and is well known and respected in her community.  Debbie continues to be an out, proud and visible transgender person working for human rights in our communities.