Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1994. Member of the House since 1995.

Current Assignments

2013- Deputy Majority Whip

2003- Health and Government Operations Committee

2004- Chair, Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee

2005- Insurance Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee

1995- Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing

1995- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

1995- Women Legislators of Maryland

Past House Service

Rural Health-Care Workgroup , 2011-; Deputy Majority Whip , 2003-2010; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families , 2003-2010; Public Health Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee , 2003-2005; Health Facilities, Equipment and Products Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee , 2003-2004; Long Term Care Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee , 2003-2004; Health Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee , 1999-2003; Environmental Matters Committee , 1995-2003; Health and Public Utilities Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee , 1995-1999; Joint Legislative Task Force on Organ and Tissue Donations , 1997-1998.

Public Service

Task Force to Study Point-of-Care Testing for Lead Poisoning, 2013-; Task Force on the Discipline of Health Care Professionals and Improved Patient Care, 2008-2009; Workgroup on Cultural Competency and Workforce Development for Mental Health Professionals, 2007-2008; Mental Health Oversight Committee, 2007-; Statewide Steering Committee on Services for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease, 2007-; President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2006-2007; Adult Sickle-Cell Disease Care Working Group, 2006; Task Force on the Needs of Persons with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, 2005-2006; President-Elect, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2005-2006; Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities, 2005-; Vice Chair, Committee on Health, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, 2003-2005; Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes, 2000-2005; Asbestos Oversight Committee, 1995-2005; Second Vice President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2003-2004; Secretary, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2002-2004; Maryland Advisory Council for New Americans, 1998-2004; Secretary, Baltimore County Delegation, 2003-; Task Force to Study Health Care Needs of Inmates in Transition from Correctional Institutions, 2000-2002; Redistricting Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-2002; Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-2002; Legislative Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2001-; Chair, Legislative Review Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2001-; Co-Chair, Effectiveness Committee of Task Force to Study Increasing the Availability of Substance Abuse Programs, 1998-2001; Chair, Health Care Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000; State Advisory Council on Nutrition, 1998-2000; Executive Board, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1998-2000; Task Force on Quality of Care in Nursing Facilities, 1999; Task Force on Maryland's Dairy Industry, 1995-1997; Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee, 1996-; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1996; Social Services Commission, Baltimore City, 1990-1994; Human Services and Welfare Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures; Former Member, Liaison Work Group, Baltimore City Delegation.

Memberships

Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-; Board of Directors, Planned Parenthood of Maryland, 1996-1999; Maryland Green Caucus, 1996-; Honor Society of Nursing, 1996-; Democratic State Central Committee, 1990-1994; Legislative and Executive Committee, Maryland Democratic Party, 1990-1994; Jamaican Association of Maryland; Black Mental Health Alliance; American Nurses Association; National Black Nurses Association; National Association of Health Service Executives; National Political Congress of Black Women; Baltimore City Community College Nursing Alumni Association; Maryland Black Congress on Health Law and Economics; Maryland Nurses Association.

Awards

Hepatitis Hero of Maryland, Maryland Hepatitis Coalition, 2011; Judith Bennett-Sattler Award, Jamaican Women of Washington, Inc., 2007; Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, Circle of Excellence, 2007, 2005, 2002; Value Hours Award, Fullwood Foundation, Inc., 2004; Legislative Award, Metropolitan Baltimore Branch, Mental Health Association of Maryland, 2003; Positive People Award, Baltimore Times, 2003; Distinguished Service Award, Barbados National Association of Baltimore, 2002; Legislator of the Year, American Heart Association, 2001; Certificate of Appreciation, the Consul General of Jamaica, 2001; Certificate of Merit, New York State Senate, 2001; Legislative Award, Mid-Atlantic Community Health Center, 1999; Legislator of the Year, Maryland Nursing Association, 1997; Community Service Award, Sigma Theta Tau International (National Association of Health Service Executives), 1997; Women Power, Inc. Inductee, Alumni Hall of Distinction, Baltimore City Community College.

Biographical Information

Born, Trelawny, Jamaica, West Indies, May 20, 1939 ; Attended Mico School, Kingston, Jamaica, 1957 ; Bootham Park and Naburn Hospital School of Nursing, Yorkshire, England, 1960 ; Baltimore City Hospital School of Practical Nursing, L.P.N., 1962 ; Baltimore Community College, A.A., Nursing, 1975 ; University of Maryland at Baltimore, B.S., Nursing, 1980 ; The Johns Hopkins University, M.A.S., Administrative Science, 1987 ; Faculty Associate, The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 1997-2000 ; Registered Nurse ; Business Owner ; Single, Three children, Five grandchildren .