Office of the Mayor - Biography

Mayor Sheila Dixon became the 48th Mayor of Baltimore on January 17, 2007, succeeding Mayor Martin O'Malley. After a successful first year in office, in November of 2007 Mayor Dixon was elected to a full four-year term. She holds the distinction of being the first woman ever to hold this position.

For two decades in public office, Mayor Dixon has been a champion of neighborhoods and a pioneer for women and minorities. In 1987, she won a seat on the Baltimore City Council representing the 4th Council District, where she served for 12 years. In 1999, she became the first African-American woman elected as City Council President.

Mayor Dixon has been a strong advocate for many public health issues, including HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and lead poisoning in children. Mayor Dixon is an avid athlete with a rigorous weekly fitness routine. Beyond her concern for her personal health and fitness, Mayor Dixon is an advocate for programs that improve children's health through a more nutritional diet and exercise routine.

For 17 years, Mayor Dixon was an international trade specialist with the Maryland State Department of Business and Economic Development where she gained valuable experience and insights on the tools necessary to retain and attract businesses.

Mayor Dixon is a graduate of the Baltimore City public school system and holds a bachelor's degree from Towson University and a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is a former elementary school teacher and adult education instructor with the Head Start program.

Among her numerous awards and honors, Mayor Dixon has been named one of Baltimore's Most Influential Leaders by the Baltimore Business Journal and was recently admitted to The Daily Record's Circle of Excellence for her third selection as one of "Maryland's Top 100 Women." She serves on numerous boards, including the Institute of Human Virology, the Transplant Resource Center, the Urban Health Initiative, the Baltimore Public Markets Corporation, the Living Classrooms Foundation, and the Walters Art Gallery.

Mayor Dixon is a working mother of two children, Joshua and Jasmine, living in West Baltimore. An active member and former trustee of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Mayor Dixon is grounded by her faith and continues to serve as a member of the Stewardess Board.

Fri. May 9, 2008

Contacts

Mayor Sheila Dixon
City Hall, Room 250
100 N. Holliday Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone (410) 396-3835
Fax (410) 576-9425

Email The Mayor

Denise Chavis
Executive Assistant
Phone (410) 396-1800

Betsy Gardner
Executive Secretary
Phone (410) 396-3497

Zoe Michal
Director of Scheduling
Phone (410) 396-4889

Requests for Proclamations or Citations


Correspondence Unit:
(410) 545-7981

Press Coverage By:

Mayor's Office of Cable and Communications - TV25 Baltimore