Verna L. Jones-Rodwell (born November 27, 1955) is an

American politician The politics of the United States function within a framework of a constitutional federal republic and presidential system, with three distinct branches that share powers. These are: the U.S. Congress which forms the legislative branch, a bic ...

who represented the 44th legislative district in the

Maryland State Senate The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. Composed of 47 senators elected from an equal number of constituent single- ...

. Senator Jones-Rodwell was also the chair of the

Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc. (also known as The Maryland Legislative Black Caucus) is an American political organization composed of African Americans elected to the Maryland General Assembly. Incorporated in 1970, the Caucus m ...

from 2007 to 2008.

Background

Jones-Rodwell was born in Baltimore, Maryland on November 27, 1955. She graduated from the

University of Maryland College Park The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of Mary ...

, B.A. (urban studies & community organization), 1978; Baruch College, City University of New York, M.P.A., 1987.

In the legislature

Jones-Rodwell became a member of Senate on January 8, 2003. She was assigned to the Senate's Budget and Taxation Committee in 2003. (public safety, transportation & environment subcommittee, 2003-); Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2003-; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2003-; Special Committee on Substance Abuse, 2003-. Chair, Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, 2007-. Member, Special Joint Committee on Pensions, 2003. Jones-Rodwell is a former chair of the

and the current chair of the

Baltimore City Senate Delegation The Baltimore City Senate Delegation is an association of the six state senators who represent Baltimore City in the Maryland General Assembly. Authority and responsibilities The Baltimore City Senate Delegation is responsible for representing ...

. On April 20, 2014, Jones-Rodwell announced that she had decided to retire and would not compete in the upcoming June 2014 democratic primary.

Awards and designations

As a politician and active social life, she served on various key posts, and achieved a number of awards: * ''Special Assistant to City Manager, Berkeley, California, 1986-87.'' * ''Director of Local and Regional Programs, Coordinator of Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Communities Initiative and Director of Market Development, Development Training Institute, 1987-97.'' * ''Founder and president, Collaborative Solutions, 1998'' * ''Director, Baltimore Main Streets. Chair, Maryland Public Policy Committee,'' * ''National Black Women's Health Project, 1990-96.'' * ''Board of Directors, Druid Heights Community Development Corporation, 1993-2000.'' * ''President, Women Behind the Community, Inc., 1994-96.'' * ''Board of Directors, Flemming Fellowship Center for Policy Alternatives, 1999.'' * ''Westside Renaissance, Inc., 1999.'' * ''Alzheimer's Association of Greater Maryland, 2001-09.'' * ''Baltimore Heritage, Inc., 2001-. President and Founder,'' * ''Community Building Network, 2002'' * ''Board of Directors, Martha's Place, 2004'' * ''Board of Directors, Alzheimer's Association (national). Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2008.'' * ''Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.'' * ''Adjunct faculty, Goucher College.'' * ''Verda F. Welcome Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 2001.'' * ''Henry Toll Fellowship, Council of State Governments, 2003.'' * ''Award of Excellence, Maryland Women for Responsible Government, 2003.'' * ''Living Women History Makers' Award.'' * ''National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., 2004.'' * ''Maryland's Top 100 Women,'' Daily Record, ''2005, 2008, 2011 (Circle of Excellence).'' * ''Dedicated Service Award, Woman Power, Inc., 2006.'' * ''Helen S. Schulze Award for the Advancement of Alzheimer's Research, Alzheimer's Association, 2007.'' * ''Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2008.'' * ''Member, Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Baltimore.''

Attribution

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Verna L. Democratic Party Maryland state senators African-American state legislators in Maryland African-American women in politics Politicians from Baltimore 1955 births Living people University of Maryland, College Park alumni Baruch College alumni Women state legislators in Maryland 21st-century American legislators 21st-century American women politicians 21st-century African-American women 21st-century African-American politicians 20th-century African-American politicians 20th-century African-American women 21st-century Maryland politicians