Pearce Region

"Member of Senate since January 8, 2003. Majority Whip, 2007-. Vice-Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2007-. Member, Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2003-; Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 2003-; Joint Oversight Committee on the Department of Juvenile Services, 2006-; Legislative Policy Committee, 2007-; Joint Technology Oversight Committee, 2007-. Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 2003-06. Member, Finance Committee, 2003-06; Senate Special Commission on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, 2004. Member, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (formerly Maryland Legislative Black Caucus), 1999- (chair, judicial nominating committee, 2000-03; vice-chair, membership committee, 2000-03; member, drug treatment committee, 2001-03; parliamentarian, 2007-); Women Legislators of Maryland, 1999- (endorsement committee, 2001-03, 2006; co-chair, legislative committee, 2001-03, 2006).

Member of House of Delegates, January 13, 1999 to January 8, 2003. Member, Judiciary Committee, 1999-2003 (criminal justice subcommittee, 1999-2003). Member, Liaison Work Group, Baltimore City Delegation, 1999-2003.

Assistant Public Defender, Office of Public Defender, Baltimore City, 1993- (law clerk, 1990-91). Member, State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1999-2001; Advisory Council on Offender Employment Coordination, 2001-04; Drug Treatment Court Commission, 2002-06; Task Force on Lending Equity within Financial Institutions Providing State Depository Services, 2004-05; Maryland State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, 2004-. Co-Chair, Auto Insurance Task Force to Study Rates in Urban Areas, 2005. Co-Chair, Task Force on Minority Participation in the Environmental Community, 2006-07. Member, State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 2007-; Truancy Court Work Group, 2007-.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, October 6, 1964. Duke University, A.B. (history), 1986; University of Maryland School of Law, J.D., 1991. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 1991. Law clerk to Judge Mabel E. H. Hubbard, Baltimore City Circuit Court, 1991-93. Attorney. Member, American Bar Association (vice-chair, children & the law committee, 1995). Financial consultant, Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith, 1988-90. President, Alliance of Black Women Attorneys, 1994-95. Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments, 2000. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2004, 2008. Member, Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee, 2006-. Member, Women's International Bowling Congress. Legislator Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties, 2000. Member, First Baptist Church of Baltimore (Sunday school teacher, gospel choir). "