Tenure

First elected to the House of Delegates, 1994. Member of the House since 1988: first appointed and sworn in August 2, 1988; Member, 1988 through January 8, 1991; reappointed March 6 and sworn in March 7, 1991.

Current Assignments

2007- Deputy Speaker Pro Tem

1993- Ways and Means Committee

2015 Revenues Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee

2017 Finance Resources Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee

2007- House Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations

2007- Legislative Policy Committee

1993- Joint Audit Committee

2007- Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds

1988- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

1991- Women Legislators of Maryland

Past House Service

Vice Chair’s Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 1995-2017; Election Law Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2015-2017; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007, 2003, 2002; Speaker's Advisory Committee on Legislative Redistricting, 2001-2002; Deputy Majority Whip, 1995-1999; Chair, Transportation Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 1997-2014; Special Committee on Rail Mergers, 1997; Special Joint Committee on Competitive Taxation and Economic Development, 1996-1997; Special Committee on School Enrollment Management, 1996-1997; Chair, Housing and Social Issues Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 1995-1996; House Co-Chair, Joint Task Force on Payment Schedule of Property Taxes, 1995; Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 1994; Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1991-1992.

Public Service

Region Forward Coalition, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2012-; Co-Chair, Communications Tax Reform Commission, 2012-2013; Blue Ribbon Commission on Maryland Transportation Funding, 2010-2012; Executive Board, At Large, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2008-2009; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2008, 2004, 2000, 1992, 1984; Task Force to Study Rent Stabilization for the Elderly in Prince George's County, 2007; Chair, Prince George's County Delegation, County Affairs Committee, 2003-2006; Education Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-; Economic Development, Transportation and Cultural Affairs Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2005-; First Vice President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2003-2004; Virginia-Maryland-District of Columbia Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate Transportation, 2000-2003; Second Vice President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2001-2002; Commission on Education Finance, Equity, and Excellence, 1999-2002; Treasurer, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2000-2001; Redistricting Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-; Transit Policy Panel, 2000; Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 1998-2000; Maryland Comprehensive Transit Plan Transit Advisory Panel, 1998-1999; Second Vice Chair, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1996-1997; Joint Legislative Workgroup on Community College Financing, 1994-1995; Local Health Services Funding Review Committee, 1993; Professional Standards and Teacher Education Advisory Board, State Board of Education, 1986-1987; Director, District 3, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Special Assistant to the President.

Memberships

Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-; Chair, House Democratic Caucus, 1999-; President, Local Chapter, National Alumni Association, Florida A & M University, 1988-1993; Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee, 1982-1988; Treasurer, National Alumni Association, Florida A & M University, 1986-; National and Maryland State Associations of Elementary School Principals; Association of School-Based Administrators; National Education Association; Maryland State Teachers Association; Delta Sigma Sorority; Life Member, National Council of Negro Women; Life Member, Business and Professional Women's Club.

Awards

Consumer Hero, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, 2013-2014; Outstanding Leadership Award, Prince George's County Educators' Association, 2004; Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2003; Counselors Advocate Award, Maryland Association for Counseling and Development, 1988; Distinguished Alumna, National Association for Equal Opportunity, 1988, 1983; Outstanding Service in Local Community, Outstanding Service, Northeast Region, Alumni Association, Florida A & M University, 1985-1987; Outstanding Service in Politics, Prince George's County Educators Association, 1983.

Biographical Information

Born, DeLand, Florida, December 20; Attended Florida A & M University, B.S., Home Economics and Education; Bowie State College, M.Ed.; Honorary Doctorate, Sojourner-Douglass College, 2004; Supervisor, Title 1 Program/ State Compensatory Education, Prince George's County Public Schools, 1988-2000 [Title 1 Program is designed to improve teaching of and learning by children in "high poverty" schools.]; Director, Department of Federal Programs, Prince George's County Public Schools, 2000-; Retired Elementary School Principal and School Director; Married; three children.