Winsome Earle Sears was born in Jamaica and partly raised in New York.  She is a former Marine, previously directed a Salvation Army women’s homeless shelter, a former history-making Virginia state legislator, and a former Virginia congressional candidate.     Winsome has appeared on CSPAN, MSNBC, CBN and other media outlets, including nationally distributed publications.   Among her many community involvements, Winsome worked as a VISTA Volunteer to teach adults to read; moderated regional community discussions on education reform; served on panels studying the issues of religious freedom; and is a former PTA vice president.