Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 2006. Member of the Senate since 2007.

Current Assignments

2011- Deputy Majority Leader

2007- Finance Committee

2013- Chair, Health Subcommittee of the Finance Committee

2008- Chair, Transportation Subcommittee of the Finance Committee

2013- Executive Nominations

2007- Chair, Senate Special Committee on Substance Abuse

2007- Joint Audit Committee

2010- Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing

Vice Chair, Baltimore City Delegation

2013 President, Women Legislators of Maryland (Member, 2005-)

2013 Chair Emeritus, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. (Member, 2005-)

Past Senate Service

Vice Chair, Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-2012; Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight, 2009-2011; Deputy Majority Whip, 2008-2011; Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 2008-2011; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Fair Practices, 2007-2009; Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, 2007; Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2007.

Past House Service 2005-2007

Housing and Real Property Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2006-2007; Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2006-2007; Local Government and Bi-county Agencies Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2006; Environmental Matters Committee, 2005-2007.

Public Service

Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2012; First Vice President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2012; Task Force to Study the Impact of Adjunct Faculty on Graduation Rates at Historically Black Institutions, 2011-; Task Force to Study High-School Dropout Rates of Persons in the Criminal Justice System, 2011-; Chair, Endorsement Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2011-; Second Vice President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2010-2011, 2008-2009; Task Force to Study the Procurement of Health, Education, and Social Services by State Agencies, 2010-; Task Force on the Minority Business Enterprise Program and Equity Investment Capital, 2010-, 2008-2009; Co-Chair, Task Force to Study the Procurement of Health and Social Services by State Agencies, 2009-2010; President-Elect, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2009-2010; First Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2008-2010; Task Force to Study Motor-Vehicle Towing Practices, 2008-2009; Maryland State Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council, 2008-; Pimlico Community Development Authority, 2008-; Human Services and Public Safety Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Treasurer, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2007-2008; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2000-2008; Governor's Wellmobile Program Advisory Board, 2007-; Communications, Financial Services and Interstate Commerce Committee, Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-; Maryland Home-Ownership Preservation Task Force, 2007; Maryland Aviation Administration Small and Minority Business Council, 2005-; Baltimore City Council, Representing District 4, 1999-2004; Chair, Taxation Subcommittee on Economic Development, Baltimore City Council, 1999-2004; Vice Chair, Land Use and Planning Committee, Baltimore City Council, 1999-2004; Urban Affairs Committee, Baltimore City Council, 1999-2004; Former Member, Baltimore Metropolitan Council Advisory Committee.

Memberships

Chair, Democratic Caucus, 2011-; Chair of Development, Associated Black Charities, 2005-; Chair, Board of Directors, Maryland Center for Arts and Technology, 2005-; Moveable Feast, 2003-; Hampden Family Center, 2002-; Baltimore Reads, 2002-; Board of Directors, University of Maryland Medical System Corporation, 2001-; Ashburton Community Association, 1990-.

Awards

Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2005-2010; Legislator of the Year, Baltimore Police Department, 2003; Benjamin L. Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 2000; Minority Business Advocate of the Year, U.S. Small Business Administration, 1994; Notable Black Woman of Maryland Award, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1990.

Biographical Information

Born, Norristown, Pennsylvania; Morgan State University, B.S., Business Administration, 1973, M.B.A., 1977; President and CEO, C. E. Pugh & Company (a public relations consulting firm), 1988-; Former Dean and Director, Strayer Business College.