Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2006. Member of the House since 2007.

Current Assignments

2007- Appropriations Committee

2007- Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee

2007- Oversight Committee on Pensions of the Appropriations Committee

2011- Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight

2012- First Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

2014-2015 - Treasurer, Women Legislators of Maryland

Past House Service

Special Joint Commission on Public Safety and Security in State and Local Correctional Facilities, 2013.

Public Service

Executive Board, At Large, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2009-2014; Second Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2010-2011; Foster Care Review Board, Baltimore City, 1985.

Memberships

Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee , 2010-; Co-Founder, Minority Women Business Owners Association ; Board of Trustees, Bethel African American Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore ; Employee Assistance Program Professionals ; Maryland Coalition of Women for Responsive Government .

Awards

Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record , 2009; Woman of the Year, Zonta International, Inc. , 2006; Distinguished Service Award, Black Professional Women, Inc. , 2004; Tree of Life Award, Breast Cancer Awareness Association , 2003; Passing the Torch Legacy Award, African-American Real Estate Professionals, Inc. , 2003; Achievement Award, National Public Housing Residents' Association, Inc. , 2003; Visionary Award, African-American Women in Business , 2002; Creating Self Sufficiency Award, Workforce Development Coalition , 2002; Welfare-to-Work Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business Administration , 1999; Maryland Women's Hall of Fame , 1996; Small Business Owner Achievement Award, National Business League , 1996; Women of Enterprise Award, U.S. Small Business Administration , 1995; Business Woman of the Year, Ujima Society , 1992; Woman of the Year, 100 Black Women , 1992.

Biographical Information

Born, Alexandria City, Alabama ; University of Baltimore, B.S., Business Management, 1975 ; Coppin State College, M.A., Criminal Justice, 1976 ; Deputy Administrator, District Court of Maryland, 1979-80 ; Supreme Bench, Baltimore, 1980-82 ; Circuit Court, Baltimore, 1982-85 ; Teacher/Educator, Division of Corrections, 1981-88 ; Adjunct Professor, Community College of Baltimore, 1983-85 ; Adjunct Professor, Anne Arundel Community College, 1987-90 ; Adjunct Professor, Dundalk Community College, 1987- ; Founder and Executive Director, Self Pride, Inc., 1990- ; Talk Show Host, WEAA Radio, 1990- ; Author, And Still I Cry (1992); Pursuing Your Passion: Things They Don't Tell You About Entrepreneurship and Being the Boss (1996) ; Member, Bethel African American Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore ; Married, Four children .