Tenure

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

Current Assignments

2003- Budget and Taxation Committee

2011- Chair, Pensions Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2003- Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2003- Senate Special Committee on Substance Abuse

2003- Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families

2003- Joint Committee on Federal Relations

2007- Senate Chair, Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds

2011- Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Pensions (Member, 2003- )

2011- Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 11, Baltimore City

2012- Secretary, Women Legislators of Maryland

1999- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

Past Senate Service

Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2011; Vice Chair, Public Safety, Transportation and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2008-2010; Chair, Joint Audit Committee, 2008-2010.

Past House Service 1999-2003

Appropriations Committee, 1999-2003; Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 1999-2003; Oversight Committee on Pensions of the Appropriations Committee, 1999-2003; Oversight Committee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation of the Appropriations Committee, 1999-2003.

Public Service

Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Prison Violence in Maryland, 2008-2011; Task Force on Prisoner Re-Entry, 2010-; Alzheimer's Workgroup, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2010; Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission, 2008-2010; State Center Executive Committee, 2009-; Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2008; Vice Chair, Labor and Economic Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2007-2008; Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2006-2008; Chair, Economic Development Committee, National Organization of Black Elected Legislators, 2007-; Executive Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2007-; Labor and Economic Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2007-; Task Force to Study Identity Theft, 2005-2007; Vice Chair, Economic Development, Trade, and Cultural Affairs Committee, National Conference of State Legislators, 2002-2007; First Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2004-2006; Co-Chair, Task Force on Lending Equity within Financial Institutions Providing State Depository Services, 2004-2005; Executive Board, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2003-2004; Second Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2002-2004; Governor's Commission on Minority Business Enterprise Reform: Chair, Access to Capital Committee, 2003; Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2002-2003; International Affairs Committee, Council of State Governments, 1999-2002; Historically Black Colleges and Universities Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2001-; Maryland Competitive Advantage Financing Fund Workgroup, 2000-2001; Redistricting Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000-2001; Chair, Economic Development Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000-; Education Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000-; Transit Policy Panel, 2000; Commission on Education Finance, Equity, and Excellence, 1999-2000; Chair, Maryland Public Policy Committee, National Black Women's Health Project, 1990-1996; National Urban Rural Fellowship, 1986; Liaison Work Group, Baltimore City Delegation.

Memberships

Alzheimer's Association of Greater Maryland, 2001-2009; Board of Directors, Martha's Place, 2004-; Advisory Board, University of Maryland School of Social Work, 2002-; President and Founder, Community Building Network, 2002-; Baltimore Heritage, Inc., 2001-; Joseph Fund Board, 1999-2001; Board of Directors, Druid Heights Community Development Corporation, 1993-2000; Westside Renaissance, Inc., 1999-; Board of Directors, Fleming Institute for Policy Alternatives, 1999; President, Women Behind the Community, Inc., 1994-1996; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Awards

Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2008; Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, Circle of Excellence, 2005-2008; Helen S. Schulze Award for the Advancement of Alzheimer's Research, Alzheimer's Association, 2007; Dedicated Service Award, Woman Power, Inc., 2006; Living Women History Makers' Award, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., 2004; Henry Toll Fellowship, Council of State Governments, 2003; Award of Excellence, Maryland Women for Responsible Government, 2003; Verda F. Welcome Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 2001.

Biographical Information

Born, Baltimore, Maryland, November 27, 1955; Northwestern High School, 1973; University of Maryland College Park, B.A., Urban Studies and Community Organization, 1978; Baruch College, City University of New York, M.P.A., 1987; Senior Executives in State and Local Government, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Certificate, 2005; Special Assistant to City Manager, Berkeley, California, 1986-1987; Community Development Consultant; Development Training Institute: Director of Local and Regional Programs, Coordinator of Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Communities Initiative, Director of Market Development, 1987-1997; Founder and President, Collaborative Solutions (a Maryland-based consulting and training firm), 1998-; Member, Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church; Married.