Jolene Ivey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jolene Ivey
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| Member of the Prince George's County Council from the 5th district |
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| Assumed office December 3, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Andrea C. Harrison |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 47th district |
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| In office January 10, 2007 – January 14, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Rosetta C. Parker |
| Succeeded by | Jimmy Tarlau |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jolene Stephenson
July 30, 1961 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Glenn Ivey |
| Children | 5, including Julian Ivey |
| Education | Towson University (BA) University of Maryland, College Park (MA) |
Jolene Ivey (née Stephenson; born July 30, 1961) is an American politician who represented the 47th district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007 to 2015. In 2014, she was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, running on the ticket of Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. In 2018, she was elected to the Prince George's County Council to represent the 5th district. In 2023, she was unanimously elected chair of the Prince George's County Council.
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Early life and education
She is of mixed-race, born to a white mother and African-American father. However, she was raised by her African-American father and stepmother in Washington, D.C. Ivey graduated from High Point High School in 1978. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication from Towson University in 1982. In 1992, she earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Career
She worked as co-host of Say Baltimore at WMAR-TV in 1983. She was a writer and producer for WMAR from 1984 to 1988. In 1988, she served as then-Congressman Benjamin Cardin's press secretary. She is a freelance writer and director of media relations for the Community Teachers Institute.
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Ivey supported Barack Obama and went to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, as a delegate pledged to Barack Obama.
During her 2006 campaign for the House of Delegates, Ivey was endorsed by The Washington Post and The Gazette, and ran a strong grassroots campaign. She defeated incumbent Rosetta C. Parker.
In 2014, Ivey ran for lieutenant governor as Doug Gansler's running mate. The Gansler–Ivey team lost to the Brown–Ullman campaign in the Democratic primary election.
Maryland House of Delegates
In the House of Delegates, Ivey, was assigned to the Ways and Means Committee and its election law and revenues subcommittees. She was vice-chair of the Bi-County Committee in the Prince George's County Delegation. She also served in the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the Women Legislators of Maryland. In her first session in Annapolis, Ivey got her first bill passed and signed into law. HB968 established the Post Adoption Support Services Pilot Program which identifies children eligible for post adoption support services and requires local Departments of Social Services to conduct assessments of the needs of adopted children.
Legislative votes
- voted for the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359)
- voted in favor the Tax Reform Act of 2007 (HB2)
- voted in favor of prohibiting ground rents in 2007 (SB106)
- voted in favor of in-state tuition for students who attended Maryland high schools for at least two years regardless of legal immigration status. (HB6) (2007)
- sponsored House Bill 30 in 2007, Establishing the Maryland Education Fund.
- de facto-sponsor House Bill 387 in 2009 – Lawful Status in the United States – Material Compliance with Federal Requirements.
Personal life
Ivey is married to Congressman Glenn Ivey, the former state's attorney for Prince George's County. The couple have five children including Julian Ivey, a member of the House of Delegates.
