GLORIA LAWLAH
The Grand Lady of Maryland Politics
State Senator | Secretary of Aging | Political Organizer
Senator Gloria Gary Lawlah served as a Maryland State Senator from January 9, 1991 to January 10, 2007 and Maryland’s Secretary of Aging from March 20, 2007 to January 15, 2015. Gloria Lawlah is a committed public servant and a political leader extraordinaire. For nearly forty (40) years, Gloria has been a fixture in the Maryland political arena and her longstanding presence in Maryland politics has rightfully earned her the title— “The Grand Lady of Maryland Politics”.
Born in Newberry, South Carolina, March 12, 1939. Lawlah is a teacher by profession. She completed her undergraduate education at Hampton University where she received her B.S. degree in Social Studies in 1960 and her Masters of Arts degree from Trinity College in (English and Administration) in 1970. She served as a teacher and administrator in the District of Columbia public schools from 1965-95. Lawlah became keenly interested in politics in the 1970s after moving to Prince George’s County with her husband, now retired engineer, Jack Lawlah. After moving to the county, she became intimately involved in efforts to integrate the Prince George’s County Public Schools.
Senator Lawlah began her political career in 1982, when she was elected to the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee. She was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1986 and the Maryland Senate in 1990 where she served through 2007. She was the first woman (black or white) elected to the Maryland Senate from Prince George’s County (D) District 26. She became the Senate Delegation Chair for Prince George’s County from 2004-2007. Later, she served as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging (2007—2015).
Senator Lawlah is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions namely, the Prince George’s County Board of Trade’s Citizen of the Year in 2000, and in 2002, she was the recipient of the Award of Excellence from Mothers Against Drunk Driving; Legislator of the Year by the Health Facilities Association of Maryland in 2006. Further, she was honored for helping to Co-Sponsor the legislation for the Bridge to Educational Excellence in Maryland’s Public Schools and received the State Board of Education, 2002. Humanitarian Award, University of Maryland Dental School, 2003. Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2004.
Among her many legislative accomplishments, Gloria secured funding and co-sponsored legislation that led to the construction of National Harbor, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the Metrorail Green Line to Branch Avenue, the construction of Oxon Hill High School and MGM.
A longtime successful community organizer, Senator Lawler is the Founder and Organizer of the 1000 Maryland Women, a grassroots organization of connected and powerful women who are the opinion makers of the community. She is also of a past or present member of the following organizations: National Council of Negro Women (life member); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated (Iota Gamma Omega Chapter); The Links, Incorporated, Prince George’s County Alpha Public Access Cable Corp.; Former President of the Maryland Senates Past; National Hook-up of Black Women; Coalition on Black Affairs; Family Crisis Center, Member, Hillcrest-Marlow Planning Board. Member, National Political Congress of Black Women, Alliance of Black Elected Officials; National Association of Congress of Black Women; Center for the Aging, Greater SE Community Hospital Foundation. Member, Oxon Hill Democrats; John Hanson Women’s Democratic Club; Black Democratic Council Member, Democratic State Central Committee, 1982-86. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004. Citizen of the Year, 2000. Champion Against Oral Cancer, University of Maryland Medical System, 2001;
Senator Lawlah’s legacy of service and commitment to her community is undeniable and the Grand Lady of Maryland Politics continues working each day to make life better in Prince George’s County, the State and the Nation. Gloria and her husband Jack have been married for over 60 years, and they have three adult children and six grandchildren.