Sharon Green Middleton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sharon Green Middleton
Middleton in 2023
Vice President of the Baltimore City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office December 8, 2016
President	Bernard C. Young Brandon Scott Nick Mosby
Preceded by	Edward Reisinger
Member of the Baltimore City Council from the 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office February 26, 2007
Preceded by	Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Personal details
Born	Sharon Green (1954-05-01) May 1, 1954 (age 71) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Spouse	Glenard Middleton ​ ​ (m. 1980; died 2024)​
Children	1, and 1 stepchild
Education	Morgan State University (BA)

Sharon Green Middleton (born May 1, 1954) is an American politician. She has been a member of the Baltimore City Council since 2007. She has also served as its vice president since 2016. Middleton is a member of the Democratic Party. For a short time, she was the acting president of the Baltimore City Council. This happened after Bernard C. Young became mayor.

Early Life and School

Middleton was born in Baltimore on May 1, 1954. Her mother, Martha V. Green, was a retired telephone operator. Her father, Kennedy Carl Green, worked with steel.

Sharon Middleton went to Morgan State University. She earned a degree in secondary education in 1976. After college, she taught in Baltimore County Public Schools for 20 years. Later, she worked for the state's education and labor departments. She retired from these jobs in 2006.

Working in the Baltimore City Council

In February 2007, a new spot opened on the Baltimore City Council. This happened when Stephanie Rawlings-Blake became the council president. Sharon Middleton applied to fill the empty seat. A group of local Democrats chose her for the job. The Baltimore City Council then approved her nomination. She was officially sworn in on February 26, 2007. Later that year, she ran for election and won a full four-year term.

In April 2019, the mayor of Baltimore, Catherine Pugh, resigned. Because of this, Sharon Middleton temporarily became the acting president of the Baltimore City Council. She held this position until May 6, 2019. On that day, the Baltimore City Council voted to elect Brandon Scott as its new president.

Middleton (center left) at a conference in 2019

In December 2019, Middleton was chosen to lead the Maryland Association of Counties. This group works to support counties in Maryland. She was the first African American from Baltimore to hold this important position.

Personal Life

Sharon Middleton was married to Glenard S. Middleton Sr. He led a large workers' union called AFSCME Local 67. They were married from 1980 until he passed away on November 7, 2024. They had a son together, and she also had a stepdaughter. As of November 2023, both of their children work for the Baltimore city government.

What Sharon Middleton Believes In

Environment

In January 2014, Middleton voted against a bill. This bill would have added a 10-cent fee on paper and plastic bags in stores. She said she wanted the city to create a full plan to control litter instead.

Homes and City Development

In September 2013, Middleton voted against a plan. This plan wanted to turn an old chemical plant into new homes and shops by the water. She was worried about safety. She also did not like that the project received special money help.

In September 2016, Middleton voted against a bill. This bill would have made developers build affordable homes. This would only apply if they received tax help from the city.

In February 2018, Middleton voted for a bill. This bill gave $4 million in tax breaks. This money helped redevelop the Northwood Plaza shopping center.

In June 2019, a study showed that water bills were harder for African Americans in Baltimore to afford. After this, Middleton introduced a bill. It aimed to change how people could question their water bills. It also offered financial help for water and sewer bills to some city residents.

In January 2021, Middleton introduced a bill. It would require landlords with many rental units to offer different ways to pay security deposits. The mayor, Brandon Scott, did not approve this bill at first. So, she introduced another bill. This one created a program to give money to low-income residents for their security deposits. This new bill passed and became law.

In January 2022, Middleton suggested using money from a special government fund. She wanted to use it to support Baltimore's housing programs. She especially mentioned a program that helps make homes more energy-efficient. She felt these programs needed more help to work better.

Workers' Rights

In October 2007, there was a disagreement between the Baltimore Teachers Union and the city schools. Middleton introduced a resolution that supported the union.

In March 2017, Middleton voted for a bill. This bill aimed to raise the minimum wage in Baltimore to $15 an hour.

In December 2020, Middleton voted for a bill. This bill would protect hospitality workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Mayor Young did not approve the bill. Middleton then voted against trying to pass the bill over the mayor's decision.

Community Issues

In July 2020, Middleton voted against a bill. This bill would have let the city vote on limiting elected officials to three terms.

Transportation

In March 2019, Middleton said she supported removing bike lanes on Roland Avenue. She said that people in her area were tired of "experiments." In January 2024, she asked for a meeting about the city's bike paths. She mentioned that people in the community were concerned about bike lanes in some areas. At the meeting, Middleton said that bike lanes were "unfair" to families who own cars.

How She Was Elected