Melony G. Griffith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Melony Griffith
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Griffith in 2022
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| President pro tempore of the Maryland Senate | |
| In office January 8, 2020 – January 11, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Kathy Klausmeier |
| Succeeded by | Malcolm Augustine |
| Member of the Maryland Senate from the 25th district |
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| In office January 9, 2019 – October 31, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Ulysses Currie |
| Succeeded by | Nick Charles |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 25th district |
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| In office January 13, 1999 – January 14, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Crumlin |
| Succeeded by | Darryl Barnes |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Melony Ghee
June 5, 1963 Abilene, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Montana State University, Billings (BS) Howard University (MSW) |
Melony Ghee Griffith (born June 5, 1963) is an American politician. She served in the Maryland Senate for District 25 in Prince George's County from 2019 until October 2023. Before that, she was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1999 to 2015. From 2020 to 2023, she held the important role of president pro tempore of the Maryland Senate.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Melony Ghee was born on June 5, 1963, in Abilene, Texas. Her parents were Frank F. Ghee Jr. and Mary E. Ghee. She grew up in Montana because her father was in the military. She finished high school at Charles M. Russell High School.
After high school, she went to Eastern Montana College. In 1985, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Her studies focused on psychology, criminology, and rehabilitation. In 1987, she earned a Master of Social Work degree from Howard University.
Career Highlights
After college, Griffith became a clinical social worker. From 1992 to 1993, she worked on a health education project at Johns Hopkins University. She also worked for the Academy for Educational Development from 1998 to 2004. Later, she held various jobs with the Prince George's County Health Department until 2009.
Griffith first got involved in politics in 1996. She ran for a seat on the Prince George's County Board of Education.
Serving in the House of Delegates
Melony Griffith became a member of the Maryland House of Delegates on January 13, 1999. She first served on the Judiciary Committee. Later, she joined the Appropriations Committee until she left in 2015. During her time, she became known for her deep knowledge of policy, especially in health care.
In 2000, Griffith was a delegate at the 2000 Democratic National Convention. She supported Al Gore for president.
Joining the Maryland Senate
Senate Elections
- 2014 Election
On October 15, 2013, Griffith announced she would run for the Maryland Senate. She challenged the current state senator, Ulysses Currie. Senator Currie was facing some challenges at the time.
The election was very competitive. Griffith focused her campaign on improving the economy, creating jobs, and boosting education. She also wanted to make communities safer. She ran a respectful campaign against Senator Currie. However, she lost the primary election in June 2014.
- 2018 Election
In November 2016, Senator Currie said he would resign. Griffith applied to take his place. But Senator Currie decided not to resign after all.
In June 2017, Senator Currie announced he would not run for re-election in 2018. Griffith decided to run for the Senate again. She won the Democratic primary election with 55 percent of the votes.
Senate Work and Leadership
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Griffith was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 9, 2019. She was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee from 2019 to 2022. Later, she became the chair of the Finance Committee.
In January 2020, the Maryland Senate chose Griffith to be their president pro tempore. This made her the first African American woman to hold this important position. She stepped down from this role in 2023.
During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Griffith supported Joe Biden. She helped lead the Maryland Women for Biden group.
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In April 2022, Griffith helped sign 103 new Maryland laws. She did this alongside Republican Governor Larry Hogan and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones. It was a historic moment. It was the first time two Black women took part in such a ceremony as Maryland's presiding officers. Griffith represented the Senate, and Speaker Jones represented the House.
On October 6, 2023, Griffith announced she would leave the Maryland Senate. She took a new job as the head of the Maryland Hospital Association. She is the fifth president of this organization. She is also the first African American woman to hold this position.
Personal Life
Melony Griffith has two children. She has lived in Suitland, Maryland since 2002.
Political Views
Healthcare
Griffith led a group that worked on healthcare proposals. One idea was to extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant women. This would help them for up to 12 months after giving birth.
In 2023, Griffith supported a bill to allow non-citizens to join health insurance programs. She called it a good first step.
Minimum Wage
In 2023, there was a bill called the Fair Wage Act. It aimed to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Griffith supported an amendment to this bill. The amendment would delay the wage increase to 2024. It would also remove plans to link future increases to inflation.
Fairness and Equality
In 2001, Griffith voted for a bill to stop unfair treatment based on sexual orientation. She supported laws that promote fairness for everyone.
Economic Development
In 2007, Griffith voted for a bill to allow a public vote on legalizing slot machine gambling. In 2012, she said she did not support building a casino in National Harbor, Maryland. She preferred other ways to help the county's economy grow.
Images for kids
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Melony Griffith in 2022
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Griffith served as the chair of the Finance Committee in 2023.
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Griffith, Governor Larry Hogan and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones enacting law in 2022
