Sheila Dixon

For three decades in public service, Sheila Dixon has been a champion of Baltimore neighborhoods and a pioneer for women and minorities. When you can’t find Sheila Dixon being an engaged mother or an advocate for our most vulnerable fellow citizens, you might see her fly by on her beloved bicycle.

She began serving her West Baltimore neighbors on the City Council in 1987 before being elected City Council President in 1999, the first African-American women to hold the citywide position. She became the 48th Mayor of the city of Baltimore in January 2007, succeeding Mayor Martin O’Malley.

In public service, Sheila Dixon worked to create a cleaner, greener, healthier, and safer Baltimore. As Mayor she created the gun offender registry, the single stream recycling program, and the popular Downtown Circulator. Her policies led to improved birth outcomes and expanded early childhood education, as well as 30 year record lows in crime and record highs in miles of newly paved roads.

Mayor Dixon also created initiatives such as the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, Cleaner Greener Baltimore, Fit Baltimore, PEACE Baltimore, and the Neighborhood Ambassador program. She was an active member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Mayors Against Illegal Guns and a national leader on combating homelessness.

Sheila Dixon has been a strong advocate for many public health issues, including HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and lead poisoning in children. She is an avid athlete with a rigorous weekly fitness routine. Beyond her concern for her personal health and fitness, she is an advocate for programs that improve children's health through a more nutritional diet and exercise routine.