Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 1998. Member of the Senate since 1997: appointed and sworn in January 7, 1997.

Current Assignments

2007- Chair, Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee (Member, 1997-)

2017 Health Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee

2016 Co-Chair, Environment Subcommittee

2015 Comptroller Issues Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee

2013- Rules Committee

2008- Executive Nominations Committee

2007- Legislative Policy Committee

2007- Management Subcommittee of the Legislative Policy Committee

1999- Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families

2001- Senate Special Committee on Substance Abuse

2018 Task Force to Study State Alcohol Regulation, Enforcement, Safety, and Public Health

2017 Chair, Senate Select Committee #11, Baltimore City

1998- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

1997- Women Legislators of Maryland

Past Senate Service

Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2012-2015, 2003-2010; Chair, Health Subcommittee, 2015-2016; Co-Chair, Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2015; Chair, Labor, Licensing, and Regulations Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2015; Chair, Health Occupations Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2015; Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-2012; Ethics and Election Law Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011; Education Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2008-2010; Chair, Health Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007-2010; Vice Chair, Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007-2010; Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, 2015-2016; Base Realignment and Closure Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2007-2010; Health Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 1997-2010; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007, 2003; Vice Chair, Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2003-2007; Chair, Procurement Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2005-2006; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005-2014; Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 1999-2004; Vice Chair, Executive Nominations Committee, 2001-2003; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review, 1998-2003; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 1998.

Public Service

Task Force to Combat Habitual Student Truancy, 2016-2017; Task Force to Study the Implementation of a Dyslexia Education Program, 2015-2017; Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission, 2015; Task Force to Study the Creation of a Maryland Center for School Safety, 2011-2013; Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission, 2010-; College Success Task Force, P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland, 2009-2010; Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, 2006-2010; Co-Chair, Task Force on the Minority Business Enterprise Program and Equity Investment Capital(Member 2008-09, 2010-12), 2008-2009; Task Force on the Discipline of Health Care Professionals and Improved Patient Care, 2008-2009; Commission to Study the Impact of Immigrants in Maryland, 2008-2012; Education Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Education Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2007-; Task Force on Universal Preschool Education, 2006-2007; Joint Legislative Task Force on Universal Access to Quality and Affordable Healthcare, 2005-2007; Senate Special Commission on Electric Utility Deregulation Implementation, 2005-2006; Agricultural Stewardship Commission, 2005-2006; Redistricting and Elections Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-; Auto Insurance Task Force to Study Rates in Urban Areas, 2005; Governor’s Council for Historically Underutilized Businesses, 2004-2005; Statewide Commission on the Crisis in Nursing, 2000-2005; Wetlands and Waterways Funding Workgroup, 2004; State Commission on Public Funding of Campaigns in Maryland, 2002-2004; Task Force on Indoor Air Quality, 2001-2002; Task Force to Study Health Care Needs of Inmates in Transition from Correctional Institutions, 2000-2002; Governor’s Task Force on African-American Entrepreneurship in Baltimore City, 1999-2002; Finance Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2001-; Special Committee on Voting Systems and Election Procedures in Maryland, 2000-2001; Task Force to Study Increasing Availability of Substance Abuse Programs (Availability Committee), 1998-2001; Protocol Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000-; Redistricting Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000-; Co-Chair, Budget Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2000; Special Committee to Study Issues Related to Class-Size Reduction, 1999; Advisory Council on Environmental Justice, 1997-1999; State Advisory Council on Hereditary and Congenital Disorders, 1997-1999; Task Force on Public Charter Schools, 1998; City Council, Baltimore City, District 3 (Chair, Budget and Appropriations Committee; Vice Chair, Land Use Committee), 1995-1997; task Force to Study State Alcohol Regulation, Enforcement, Safety, and Public Health, 2018-.

Memberships

Maryland Council for New Americans, 2009; Board Member, Harford- Bel Air Community Mental Health Center, 1996; Women for Responsive Government, 1995.

Awards

Courageous Leadership Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Anne Arundel County, 2017; Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2014; Public Service Award, The Arc Baltimore, 2013; First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2012; Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2010, 2000; Municipal Super Star, Maryland Municipal League, 2008; Outstanding Service Award, U.S. Coast Guard, 1999; Verda F. Welcome Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 1998; Legislative Service Award, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, 1998; Outstanding Professional Achievement, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, 1997; Best Politician Award, City Paper, 1996; Leadership and Participation Award, City of Baltimore, 1993; Community Service Day Award, Governor William Donald Schaefer, 1993; Mayor’s Citation, Baltimore City, 1990; Award for Outstanding Community Services, Urban Services Agency, 1985; Solicitor’s Award, United Way of Central Maryland, 1982.

Biographical Information

Born, Baltimore, Maryland, April 5, 1951; Brookvale High School, Lancaster, Virginia, 1969; Community College of Baltimore, A.A., Human Services, 1987 (Honor Student Award, 1987); University of Baltimore, B.A., Sociology, 1988 (Dean’s List, 1987-1988); Model Cities Program, 1970-76; Urban Services Agency, 1976-93; Director, Helping Unite Baltimore (HUB) #13, Department of Housing and Community Development, Baltimore City, 1993-94; Program Director, Stability, Uniqueness, Renewal and Elevation (SURE), the Jentry McDonald Corporation, 1994-95; General Tax Practitioner and Co-Owner, CIG Professional Tax Services, Inc.; Member, Israel Baptist Church; Married, One son, Two grandchildren.