Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 2002. Member of the Senate since 2003.

Current Assignments

2016 Finance Committee

2007- Majority Whip

2003- Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR)

1999- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

1999- Women Legislators of Maryland

Past Senate Service

Vice Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2007-2016; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Welfare Reform (Member, 2003-), 2011-2014; Special Joint Commission on Public Safety and Security in State and Local Correctional Facilities, 2013; Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, 2009-2011; Legislative Policy Committee, 2007-2011; Joint Technology Oversight Committee, 2007-2009; Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2003-2006; Finance Committee, 2003-2006; Task Force to Study Court Decision Regarding Pit Bulls, 2012.

Past House Service 1999-2003

Judiciary Committee, 1999-2003; Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 1999-2003.

Public Service

Maryland Correctional Enterprises Management Council, 2015-; Lead Poisoning Prevention Study Group, 2011; Maryland Access to Justice Commission, 2008-2011; Pimlico Community Development Authority, 2008-; Human Services and Public Safety Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Truancy Court Work Group, 2007-2008; Parliamentarian, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2007-2008; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2004-2008; State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 2007-2016; Co-Chair, Task Force on Minority Participation in the Environmental Community, 2006-2007; Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee, 2006-; Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2006, 2001-2003; Endorsement Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2006, 2001-2003; Drug Treatment Court Commission, 2002-2006; Co-Chair, Auto Insurance Task Force to Study Rates in Urban Areas, 2005; Task Force on Lending Equity within Financial Institutions Providing State Depository Services, 2004-2005; Maryland State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, 2004-; Senate Special Commission on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, 2004; Advisory Council on Offender Employment Coordination, 2001-2004; Drug Treatment Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2001-2003; Chair, Judicial Nominating Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000-2003; Vice Chair, Membership Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000-2003; Liaison Workgroup, Baltimore City Delegation, 1999-2003; State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1999-2001; Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments, 2000.

Memberships

Vice Chair, Children and the Law Committee, American Bar Association, 1995-; President, Alliance of Black Women Attorneys, 1994-1995; Maryland Bar Association, 1991-; American Bar Association; Bar Association of Baltimore City; Women's International Bowling Congress.

Awards

Legislator Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties , 2000.

Biographical Information

Born, Baltimore, Maryland, October 6, 1964; Western High School, 1982; Duke University, B.A., History, with honors, 1986; University of Maryland School of Law, J.D., 1991; Law Clerk to Judge Mabel E. H. Hubbard, Baltimore City Circuit Court, 1991-1993; Assistant Public Defender, Office of Public Defender, Baltimore City, 1993-; Former Financial Consultant, Merrill Lynch; Member, First Baptist Church of Baltimore (Sunday School Teacher, Gospel Choir); Single.