Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 1994. Member of the Senate since 1995.

Current Assignments

1995- Judicial Proceedings Committee

1995- Executive Nominations Committee

1995- Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)

1999- Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families

1998- Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Federal Relations (Member, 1997- )

2011- Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee

1995- Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds

2011- Senate Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Protocol

Women Legislators of Maryland

Past Senate Service

Joint Audit Committee, 1999-2011; Joint Committee on the Election of the State Treasurer, 2007; Deputy Majority Whip, 2003-2006; Vice Chair, Special Commission on Legislative Prayer, 2003; Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2000-2002.

Past House Service 1978-1995

Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review, 1993-1994; House Chair, Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, 1991-1994; Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation, 1987-1994; Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of the Appropriations Committee, 1979-1994.

Public Service

Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Nanobiotechnology, 2010-2011; Maryland Alcohol Safety Action Program Committee, 2010; Commission to Study the Title Insurance Industry in Maryland, 2008-2010; Legislative Board, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2008-2009; Alternate Member, Executive Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Task Force to Combat Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol, 2007-2008; Maryland Tourism Development Board, 2007-; Founding Member, National State Legislative Advisory Board on Women and Bioethics, 2006-; Transportation Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004-; State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1998-2004; Senate Chair, Maryland-Virginia-District of Columbia Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate, 2000-2003; Task Force to Study Lighting Efficiency and Light Pollution in Maryland, 2001-2002; Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; President, Women's Legislative Network, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2000-2001; School Board Composition Task Force, Montgomery County, 2000-2001; Attainment Plan (Federal Air Quality Standards) Task Force, Department of the Environment, 2000-2001; State Advisory Council on Nutrition, 1996-2000; Executive Board, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1994-2000; Governor’s Task Force on Childproof Guns, 1999; Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1998-1999; National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, 1998-; Chair, Task Force on Genetic Technologies and Public Policy, National Conference of State Legislatures, 1998-; President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1995-1996; State Commission on Physical Fitness, 1981-1989; Co-Chair, Governor’s Senior Task Force on Senior Citizen Activity Centers, 1983-1988; Montgomery County Health Services Planning Board, 1974-1978; National Institutes of Health Bio-Safety Committee; Maryland Community Mental Health Council; Rockville Economic Development Council; Past Chair, Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Development Committee, Southern Legislative Conference.

Memberships

Sierra Club; American Association of University Women (AAUW); Methodist Board of Church and Society; Citizens’ Advisory Board for Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (Past Chair), Rockville; Girl Scout Advisory Council; Montgomery County Arts Council; Advisory Board, Friends of Seneca Creek; Board Member, Maryland College of Art and Design; University of Maryland Center for Political Leadership; Hospice Caring; Montgomery Anti-Tobacco Coalition; Lung Association; Peerless Rockville and Gaithersburg Historic Preservation Associations; Rockville Arts Place; Asbury Methodist Homes (past member); Women’s Political Caucus; Senate Secretary, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2004-.

Awards

Maryland State Senator of the Year, Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work , 2006; Biotechnology Leadership Award, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute , 2006; Clean Air Advocate Award, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services , 2005; Certificate of Appreciation, Committee for Montgomery , 2005; Certificate of Appreciation , Ridge School of Montgomery County , 2005; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League , 2004; Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Impaired Driving Coalition , 2003; Citizen of the Year, Rockville Chamber of Commerce , 2003; Life Membership Award, Rockville Senior Center , 2003; Woman of the Year, Montgomery County Business and Professional Women , 2003; Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Daily Record, Circle of Excellence , 1991-2001; Award of Excellence, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) , 2002; Leadership Award, Washington Board of Trade , 1998-2001; Distinguished Citizen Award, Alpha Gamma Delta International , 1999; Award, Maryland Municipal League , 1999; Senator of the Year Award for Child Abuse Legislation, Maryland’s State’s Attorneys Association , 1998; President’s Award for Service, Asbury Village, 1996; Legislator of the Year, Montgomery Medical Society , 1993; Margaret Brent Trailblazer Award, Women’s Bar Association of Maryland , 1993; Technology Leadership Award, Suburban Maryland High Technology Council , 1993; Betty Tyler Public Affairs Award, Planned Parenthood of Maryland , 1992; Community Service Award, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital ; Humanities Award, Maryland Association of Historical and Cultural Museums ; President’s Award, Maryland College of Art and Design ; Outstanding Advocate, Montgomery Arts Council ; Peabody Medallion Award, The Johns Hopkins University ; Founder’s Award, Family and Infant Care Center .

Biographical Information

Born, Nashville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina Public Schools; Woman’s College, University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, B.S., Industrial Relations, 1958; President, Forehand Antiques and Interiors, 1970-; Juvenile Court Probation Counselor; Statistician; Former Educator; Legislator, Full-time; Married, Two children.