Tenure

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

Current Assignments

1998- Finance Committee

2003- Health Subcommittee of the Finance Committee

2007- Chair, Executive Nominations Committee (Member, 1998- )

2001- Senate Vice Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing

2007- Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight

2008- Historian, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. (Member, 1995-)

Historian, Women Legislators of Maryland (Member, 1991-)

Past Senate Service

Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2007-2011; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005-2007; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Fair Practices, 1999-2007; Vice-Chair, Executive Nominations Committee, 2003-2007, 1998-2000; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2001-2003; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1999-2003; Legislative Policy Committee, 1999-2000; Welfare Reform Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, 1999; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 1995-1998; Judicial Proceedings Committee, 1995-1998; Joint Committee on Protocol, 1995-1998.

Past House Service 1991-1995

Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review , 1993-1994; Environmental Matters Committee , 1991-1994.

Public Service

Co-Chair, Legislative Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2011-; Task Force on the Membership and Operation of the Baltimore County Board of Education, 2011-; Maryland Foreclosure Task Force, 2011-; Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness, 2010-; Alzheimer's Work Group, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2010; Co-Chair, Commission to Study the Title Insurance Industry in Maryland, 2008-2010; Continuing Care Advisory Committee, Department of Aging, 2009-; Human Services and Public Safety Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Presidential Elector, Maryland, 2008, 2004; Task Force to Study the Developmental Disabilities Administration Rate-Payment System, 2007-2008; Workgroup on Cultural Competency and Workforce Development for Mental Health Professionals, 2007-2008; Chair, Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-2008; Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-; Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Identity Theft, 2007; Aging Workgroup, Governor-Elect's Transition Team, 2006-2007; Vice Chair, Financial Services Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-2007; Vice Chair, Legislative Committee, Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission, 2006-; Senate Special Commission on Electric Utility Deregulation Implementation, 2005-2006; Task Force on Common Ownership Communities, 2005-2006; Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight, 2005-2006; Co-Chair, Legislative Action Team, Family Violence Council, 1996-2006; Family Violence Council, 1995-2006; State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board, 2005-; Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes, 2003-2005; Health Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2000-2005; State Commission on Infant Mortality Prevention, 1999-2005; Governor's Council on Adolescent Pregnancy, 1998-2005; Senate Special Commission on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, 2004; Task Force on Access to Mental Health Services, 2003-2004; Unemployment Insurance Funding Task Force, 2003-2004; Maryland Education Council, Education Commission of the States, 2003-; Chair, Health Care Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2001-; Vice Chair, Historically Black Colleges and Universities Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2001-; Judicial Nominating Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2001-; Task Force to Study Repealing the Disenfranchisement of Convicted Felons in Maryland, 2001; Task Force to Study College Readiness for Disadvantaged and Capable Students, 2000-2001; Task Force to Study the Licensing and Monitoring of Community-Based Homes for Children, 2000-2001; Adoption Oversight Team, Department of Human Resources, 1997-2000; State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1999-; Chair, Home Builders Registration Work Group, 1999; President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1998-1999; Task Force to Study Anti-Asian Violence, 1997-1999; Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1996-1999; Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee, 1998-; Article 27 (Crimes and Punishments) Revision Committee, 1997-1998; Maryland Delegate, White House Conference on Aging, 1995; Governor's Commission on Adoption, 1995; Governor's Task Force on Judicial Nominating Commissions, 1995; Legislative Chair, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1992; State Commission on Hereditary and Congenital Disorders, 1991-1995; Secretary, Maryland Democratic Party, 1986-1990; Delegate, National Democratic Party Convention; Platform Committee, 1988; Mayor's Mental Health Advisory Council, Baltimore City, 1980-1988; Values Education Commission, 1981-1985.

Memberships

Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee, 1995-; President, Tenth District Democratic Club, 1995-; President, Black-Jewish Forum of Baltimore (BLEWS), 1990-1992; Baltimore Urban League Board, 1986-1989; Institute for Christian-Jewish Studies, 1988-; Board of Directors, Vice Chair, Harbor Bank of Maryland, 1987-; Democratic State Central Committee, 1982-1986; Fellow (Academic Administration), American Council on Education, 1982-1983; Panelist, Reviewer, National Endowment for the Humanities, 1978-1982; Baltimore Chapter, National Coalition of 100 Black Women; Chair, Trustee Board, Union Baptist Church.

Awards

Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League , 2009-2010; Defender of the Defender Award, Office of Public Defender , 2009; Municipal Super Star, Maryland Municipal League , 2008; Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, (Circle of Excellence) , 2004, 1999, 1996; Legislator of the Year Award, Domestic Violence Network of Maryland , 1998; Dorothy Beatty Memorial Award, Women's Law Center of Maryland , 1997; Champion for Children Award, Maryland Foster Care Review Board , 1996; First Annual Racial Justice Award, YWCA of Greater Baltimore , 1996; Legislative Leader Award, Maryland Commission for Women , 1995.

Biographical Information

Born, Norfolk, Virginia, May 1, 1936; Booker T. Washington High School, Norfolk, 1952; Virginia State College, B.A., Philosophy, 1956; New York University, M.A., Education, 1958; Purdue University, M.A., Communications, 1972; University of Maryland College Park, Ph.D., American Studies, 1977; Educator: Coppin State College, 1973-2004, Former Dean; Married, Three children.