Tenure

Member of the House of Delegates from January 9, 1991 to January 11, 1995 representing District 42, Baltimore City and Baltimore County. First elected to the Senate in 1994. Member of the Senate since 1995.

Current Assignments

2019 Chair, Finance Committee

2019 Chair, Health and Long-Term Care Subcommittee of the Finance Committee

2019 Legislative Policy Committee

2019 Rules Committee

2019 Executive Nominations Committee

2017 Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission

1991 Women Legislators of Maryland

2015 Maryland Veterans Caucus

1995 Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland

Past Senate Service

Vice Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2016-2019; Vice-Chair, Executive Nominations Committee (Chair, 2007-2014: Member, 1998-), 2015-2019; Senate Finance Committee, 1998-2016; Health Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, 2003-2015; Chair, Property and Casualty Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, 2015-2016; Senate Vice Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, 2011-2014; Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness, 2015-2017; Joint Covid-19 Response Workgroup, 2020; Task Force to Study Economic Development and Apprenticeships, 2012-2014; Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight, 2007-2017; 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

Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee, 2017-2018; Task Force to Study Erroneous Conviction and Imprisonment, 2017-2018; Task Force to Study Access to Pharmacy Services in Maryland, 2014-2015; Task Force on the Membership and Operation of the Baltimore County Board of Education, 2011; Maryland Foreclosure Task Force, 2011-2012; Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness, 2010-2013; 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, 2009-2010; 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; Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Identity Theft, 2007; Aging Workgroup, Governor-Elect's Transition Team, 2006-2007; 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; 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; Maryland Violence Intervention and Prevention Advisory Council, 2018-2019; 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-; Task Force to Study Repealing the Disenfranchisement of Convicted Felons in Maryland, 2001; National Conference of State Legislators (Health Committee, 2005; Vice Chair, Financial Services Committee, 2005-2007), 2000-; National Conference of State Legislators (Chair, Communications, Financial Services & Interstate Commerce Committee 2007-2008), 2000-; 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; State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1996-2020; Chair, Home Builders Registration Work Group, 1999; Adoption Oversight Team, Department of Human Resources, 1997-2000; Task Force to Study Anti-Asian Violence, 1997-1999; Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1999-2020; 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; Women Legislators of Maryland ( President, 1998-1999, Chair Legislative Committee, 1992, co-chair 2011-13; Historian 2014-), 1991-; 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

Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. (Chair, Health Care Committee, 2000; Vice-Chair, Historically Black Colleges and Universities Committee, 2001-), 1995-; Legislative Black Caucus con't (Judicial Nominating Committee, 2001 -; Historian, 2008-2011, 2012 - 2016), 1995-; 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

First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2017; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2009-2011; 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.