Meet Mrs. Benson

Joanne C. Benson was elected in 1991 to The House of Delegates of the Maryland General Assembly to represent Prince George’s County’s 24th Legislative District. In 2011 she was elected to serve as the 24th District’s first female Senator. Senator Benson currently serves in the Senate Leadership as Majority Whip. She is a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee, serves on the Joint Committees on Education, Business and Administration, Pensions, Audit and Evaluations, Children, Youth and Families; Ending Homelessness; Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight; and has been appointed to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. She also is a member of the Women Legislators of Maryland and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.

Joanne C. Benson was born in Roanoke, Virginia. She is the daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. William Claybon. She is one of a patrician line of six --- four sisters and one brother. Her family relocated early on to Hagerstown, Maryland where she attended public schools and graduated from South Hagerstown High School. Mrs. Benson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bowie State University and a Master of Arts Degree from Catholic University. She believes that education is one of the most powerful tools anyone could possess. She is a constant proponent for the strongest quality education for all Prince George’s County’s children.

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Why Mrs. Benson?

Latest News

Prince George’s County & State Leaders Stand with Residents During Federal Government Shutdown

Prince George’s County & State Leaders Stand with Residents During Federal Government Shutdown

Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy and your state leaders are standing together to elevate the needs of residents during the federal government shutdown.

We are here to help you navigate these unprecedented times with resources and facts:

Together, we will get through this challenging time as a community.

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Join Us for a No-Cost Community Health Event on Diabetes Awareness!

Please join us for an inspiring and informative day focused on combating obesity and diabetes through healthy lifestyle strategies. This special event kicks off with a powerful discussion on “Addressing Obesity & Diabetes: Strategies for Healthier Lives and Lower Costs”, followed by a variety of family-friendly activities.

📅 Event Details:
Saturday, November 15, 2025
🕣 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Kingdom Fellowship AME Church
11710 Beltsville Dr., Calverton, MD 20705

🎤 Featured Speakers:
• Dr. Stephanie Chung, NIH – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Cheryl Jackson – 104.1 Praise FM
• DJ A&G – 93.9 WKYS FM
• Dr. Idongesit Attang – Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group

🎉 Event Highlights:

  • Free health screenings
  • Information on treatments and lifestyle changes
  • Giveaways, games, entertainment, and much more
  • Complimentary healthy snacks, lunch, and a customized toolkit

📝 Registration is FREE and required.
To register, scan the QR code in the flyer or visit: https://diabetes.org/sodwashingtondc

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate health with your community!

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Maryland Senate Chamber

2025 END OF SESSION LETTER

On Monday, April 7th, 2025, at 12:00 a.m., the 447th Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly ended. I deeply appreciate your input and wonderful unwavering support as we continue to put initiatives into law which will move us onward, upward, and outward. Many decisions in this session were very difficult, such as our overwhelming opposition to internet gambling but with your help, I voted with a focus and firm conviction in protecting our future and interest. While many of our legislative bills did not pass, I am looking forward to reintroducing them next session. This was a fast-paced session which kept us focused and extremely busy. I would like to share legislation and bond bills which directly impact our communities.

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Special Food Distributions for Federal Workers and Contractors

Special Food Distributions for Federal Workers and Contractors

With federal workers and contractors across our community now having gone almost two weeks without a paycheck due to the government shutdown, The Capital Area Food Bank is getting ready to respond to increased need. Data and experience tell us that this is around the time when many families facing a loss of income will be forced to start making hard choices. As negotiations in Congress still appear to be moving slowly, we are currently planning to move forward with special supplemental distributions to assist federal workers and contractors. They will begin next week — the week of October 20th — and continue until the shutdown ends.

Distributions will be held at locations throughout our existing partner network (3 in MD, 1 in VA, and 1 in DC). At each site, we will be providing 150 boxes of shelf-stable goods and an equivalent number of boxes of produce. Depending on traffic, we will scale up the following week if the shutdown is still ongoing. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID.

More information on where neighbors can access free groceries can be found on our website:
www.capitalareafoodbank.org/dmv-help

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Support for Former Federal Employees: Emergency Loan Program Now Available

Support for Former Federal Employees: Emergency Loan Program Now Available

The Maryland Department of Labor has launched a new Federal Emergency Loan Program to support former federal employees in Maryland who have recently lost their jobs due to layoffs, agency relocations, or closures. This no-interest loan initiative was created under the Protect Our Federal Workers Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore, and aims to provide immediate financial relief to those impacted.

Eligible individuals may apply for a $700 no-interest loan, repayable after 180 days, with a possible 90-day extension. Applicants must be Maryland residents, recently terminated from federal employment on or after January 1, 2025, and currently experiencing financial hardship. To learn more and access the application portal, please view the resource flyer below or visit labor.maryland.gov/federalworkers.

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