214 James Senate Office Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Full Name:
Joanne Claybon Benson
Gender:
Female
Birth Date:
03/11/1941
Birth Place:
Roanoake, VA
Home City:
Landover, MD
Religion:
Methodist
Attended, George Washington University
MA, Curriculum Instruction, Catholic University of America, 1974
BS, Education, Bowie State College, 1962
Deputy Majority Leader, Maryland State Senate, 2020-present
Senator, Maryland State Senate, District 24, 2011-present
Candidate, Maryland State Senate, District 24, 2022
Member, Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee, 2017-2019
Assistant Deputy Majority Leader, Maryland State Senate, 2016-2018
Delegate, Maryland State House of Delegates, District 24, 1990-2010
Deputy Majority Leader, Maryland State House of Delegates, 1999-2001
Member, Audit and Evaluation Committee
Member, Budget and Taxation Committee
Member, Children, Youth, and Families Committee
Member, Ending Homelessness Committee
Member, Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight Committee
Member, Rules Committee
Member, Special Joint Committee on Pensions
Member, Subcommittee on Education, Business, and Administration
Member, Subcommittee on Pensions
Former Vice Chair, Commerce and Government Matters Committee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Commerce and Government Matters Committee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Environmental Matters Committee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Government Operations Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Health Occupations Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Health and Government Operations Committee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Insurance Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Co-Chair, Joint Committee on Protocol, Maryland State Senate
Appointed Boards Committee, Former Chair, Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Long-Term Care Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Member of Finance Committee, Maryland State Senate
Chair of Rules Committee, Maryland State Senate
Former Member, Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee, Maryland State Senate
Former Member, Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Procurement Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Protocol Committee, Maryland State Senate
Former Member, Public Health Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, Maryland State Senate
Former Chair, State Government and Civil Rights Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Chair, State Government and Procurement Subcommittee, Maryland State House of Delegates
Former Member, Subcommittee on Health, Maryland State Senate
Former Member, Workgroup on the Maryland Open Transportation Investment Decision Act, Maryland State Senate
School Administrator, Prince George's Public School System
Staff Administrator, Prince George's Public School System
Principal/Educator, Prince George's Public School System
Member, Governor's Workforce Development Board, 2020-present
Member, Maryland State council on Cancer Control, 2019-present
Member, Prince George's Country - Affordable housing Commission, 2018-present
Member, Task Force to Study Locating Businesses in Libraries in Prince George's County, 2013-present
Member, Legislative Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2011-present
Member, Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, 2011-present
Member, Task Force to Study the Impact of Adjunct Faculty on Graduation Rates at Historically Black Institutions, 2011-present
Member, Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-present
Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1991-present
Honorary Life Member, Girl Scouts of America, 1980-present
Member, Black Democratic Council
Member, Coalition of 100 Black Women
Member, Coalition of Economic Development
Member, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church
Chair, Faculty Advisory Council
Member, First Baptist Church of Glenarden
Member, Maryland State Teachers Association
Member, National Education Association
Member, Negotiations Team, Prince George's County Educators Association
Member, Prince George's Bargaining Council
Former Member, Prince Georges County Delegation, Maryland State House of Delegates
Member, Task Force on the Establishment of a Statewide Spay/Neuter Fund, 2011-2013
Member, Task Force to Study the Establishment of a Deaf Culture Digital Library, 2012-2013
House Chair, Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005-2011
Member, Maryland Commission on Disabilities, 2004-2011
Member, Maryland Commission on Disabilities, 2004-2011
Member, Maryland School-Based Health Care Policy Advisory Council, 2007-2011
Treasurer, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2004-2010
Member, Task Force to Study Repealing the Disenfranchisement of Convicted Felons in Maryland, 2001
Member, Task Force to Study the History and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland, 1999
Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1996
Awards:
Outstanding Minority Leader Award
Citizen of Year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
Outstanding Educator, Prince George's County Public Schools
Outstanding Minority Educator, MSTA Minority Caucu
Outstanding Minority Leadership Award
Community Service Award, J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, 1989
For Love of Children Award, Kiwanis Club of Capitol Centre, 1985