Biography
Brenda L. Lawrence is a retired American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 14th Congressional District from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she was the first African American and first woman to serve as mayor of Southfield, Michigan, holding that position from 2001 to 2015. Born on October 18, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Lawrence was raised by her grandparents after her mother's passing when she was three years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Before entering politics, Lawrence had a 30-year career with the U.S. Postal Service, advancing to human resources executive.
Education and Political Experience
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Education
- Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Central Michigan University
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Political Experience
- Member of the Southfield Public Schools Board of Education
- President of the Southfield City Council
- Mayor of Southfield, Michigan
- U.S. Representative for Michigan's 14th Congressional District
- Co-Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus
- 2nd Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
- Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
- Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Member of the House Committee on Small Business
- Served on various subcommittees, including Labor, Health, and Human Services; Commerce, Justice, Science; and Financial Services and General Government
