Councilmember Willard-Lewis was Louisiana State Representative for District 100 since 1993, prior to her election to the Council in October 2000. Then, as now, she is recognized as an aggressive legislator for children and for the rights of the elderly, and for her passionate and effective voice for women and the disadvantaged. 

As an Administrative Assistant and then Bureau Chief in the Housing Division of the City of New Orleans under Mayor Ernest N. Morial, Councilmember Willard-Lewis was introduced to the governmental process. She also served as an Urban Planner in the Office of Policy Planning and Analysis.

In addition to her duties as a dedicated Councilmember, she is a Public Relations Consultant for Lakeland Hospital, as well as host of the "Stars Over the East" television program. 

For her outstanding service to the citizens of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana, Councilmember Willard-Lewis has been honored with the 1997 Friend of the Parish Award, the 1996 Spirit of Greatness Award from Christian Faith Church, the 1995 T.O.P.S. Ladies of Distinction Service Award, the 1994 Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award from the Orleans Levee Board of Commissioners, and the Alphonse Pierre Auguste Award from the Knights of Peter Claver. She has also been recognized by the Victims and Citizens Against Crime with the Legislator's Award, and by the Louisiana Police Jury Association.

Councilmember Willard-Lewis is a member of the NAACP, SCLC, Amnesty International, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, and the National Organization of Women in Government, and serves on a host of committees. She is a member of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church. 

She was an honor graduate of Xavier University where she received the University's Gold Medal and Service Awards. As a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, she began her service to the community. 

A former Miss Black New Orleans and Miss Black Louisiana, she was first runner-up in the Miss Black America pageant. 

Councilmember Willard-Lewis is the daughter of Dr. Elliot and Mary Jane Willard, whom she gives much of the credit for her success. She is the mother of two.

Elected to Council:  October 7, 2000, re-elected 2002

Committees: Chair, Sanitation and Environmental Enforcement Committee; Chair, Special Development Projects and Economic Development Committee; Budget, Audit and Board of Review Committee; Competitive Selection Committee; Education Committee; Election Code and Reapportionment Committee; Governmental Affairs Committee; Recreation Committee; Remote and Evening Meeting Feasibility Study Committee; Utility, Cable and Telecommunications Committee

Appointments: Louisiana Police Jury Association; Municipal Yacht Harbor Corporation Board; New Orleans Building Corporation; Orleans Levee District Board