JOANNE C. BENSON, Democrat, District 24, Prince George's County.
Member of House of Delegates since 1991. Deputy Majority Leader, 1999-. Member, Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1994- (procurement subcommittee; chair, state government & procurement subcommittee). Member, Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1991-92; Environmental Matters Committee, 1992-93. Chair, Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 1999-. Chair, Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, 1995-96.
Member, Task Force to Study the History and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland, 1999-.
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, March 11, 1941. Attended South Hagerstown High School; Bowie State College, B.S. (education), 1961; Catholic University of America, M.A. (curriculum instruction), 1972; George Washington University. Staff Administrator, Prince George's County Public School System. Board member, Coalition of Economic Development. Member, Coalition of 100 Black Women; Prince George's County Educators' Association (negotiations team); Maryland State Teachers Association (MTSA); National Education Association (NEA). Delegate, MSTA and NEA conventions. Chair, Faculty Advisory Council. Prince George's Bargaining Council. Board member, Black Democratic Council. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1996. Honorary life member, Girl Scouts of America, 1980. Outstanding Minority Leader Award; Outstanding and Dedicated Services to Children and Youth; Outstanding Minority Leadership Award; Outstanding Educator, Prince George's County Public Schools; For Love of Children Award, Kiwanis Club of Capitol Centre, 1985; Outstanding Community Service Award, Las Amigas; Citizen of Year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Community Service Award, J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, 1989; Outstanding Minority Educator, MSTA Minority Caucus. Member, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
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