Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is an American politician and attorney who served as the 49th Mayor of Baltimore from 2010 to 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, she assumed the mayoralty following the resignation of Sheila Dixon and was subsequently elected to a full term in 2011. Her tenure was notably defined by the response to the 2015 Baltimore protests following the death of Freddie Gray and efforts to promote economic development and reduce violent crime in the city.

Early life and education

Born in Baltimore to prominent political parents, her father was physician Pete Rawlings who served as a powerful member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and her mother, Nina Rawlings, was a social worker. She attended Western High School, the oldest public all-girls school in the nation. Rawlings-Blake earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Oberlin College in 1992 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Law in 1995. During her time at Oberlin, she was active in student government and various political organizations, which laid the groundwork for her future career in public service.

Political career

Her political career began with her election to the Baltimore City Council in 1995, representing the 5th District, making her one of the youngest persons ever elected to the council. She served on several key committees, including the Budget and Appropriations Committee, and became known for her focus on education and urban development. In 2007, she was unanimously elected by her colleagues as President of the Baltimore City Council, succeeding Sheila Dixon who had become mayor. In this role, she presided over council meetings and helped set the legislative agenda for the city, gaining significant experience in municipal governance.

Mayor of Baltimore

She became mayor on February 4, 2010, following Dixon's resignation as part of a plea agreement. In the 2011 Baltimore mayoral election, she won a full term, defeating challengers including former city councilman Jody Landers. Her administration launched initiatives like the Vacants to Value program to address blighted properties and pursued major development projects including Port Covington. Her tenure was profoundly impacted by the civil unrest in April 2015 following the death of Freddie Gray from injuries sustained while in Baltimore Police Department custody. She faced national scrutiny for her administration's handling of the protests and the subsequent federal consent decree mandating reforms within the police department. She chose not to seek re-election in 2016.

Post-mayoral career

After leaving office, she joined the law firm of Hogan Lovells as a partner, focusing on municipal finance and infrastructure. She has served in leadership roles for several national organizations, including as a past president of the United States Conference of Mayors and as a board member for the National League of Cities. In 2017, she was appointed as the secretary of the Democratic National Committee, playing a key role in party operations and strategy under chairman Tom Perez. She has also been a frequent political commentator on networks like CNN and MSNBC.

Personal life

She is married to Kent Blake, a contractor, and they have one daughter. Her family has deep roots in Baltimore civic life, with her late father being a major figure in Maryland politics for decades. She maintains an active role in community organizations and is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. In her personal time, she is an avid reader and supporter of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and other local arts institutions.

Category:Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Category:Mayors of Baltimore Category:African-American women in politics Category:University of Maryland, Baltimore alumni Category:Oberlin College alumni