Biography of 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. Photo of Senator JoAnne Benson in front of Maryland flagSenator Benson currently serves as Assistant Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate. She is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, serves as Chair of the Senate Rules Committee and Prince George’s County Senate Delegation; Joint Committees on Children, Youth and Families; Ending Homelessness; Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight; Management of Public Funds; and has been appointed to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. She also is a member of the Women Legislators of Maryland and serves as Chaplain of 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.