Edith J. Patterson

Education has been the defining focus of Edith’s career in both public service and elected office. Her legislative work includes support for College Savings Trust reforms, restorative practices in schools, tuition protections for students facing mental health challenges, and expanded support for military-connected students. She has also sponsored legislation supporting teachers, early college pathways, and classroom supply tax relief.

Edith has consistently supported legislation expanding telehealth access, funding Maryland’s 988 Crisis Hotline, strengthening protections against medical debt, and protecting consumers from predatory practices. She has also become a leading advocate on sickle cell disease policy, sponsoring legislation expanding specialized clinics, scholarship opportunities, and support services for patients and families.

Representing a district with a large military and veteran population, Edith has sponsored and supported legislation focused on veterans and active-duty families. Her work includes legislation making veterans scholarship programs permanent, supporting military spouses facing licensing barriers, and strengthening educational support systems for military-connected students.

Edith has supported policies focused on workforce development, fair wages, and economic investment across Southern Maryland. Her legislative record includes support for apprenticeship expansion, innovation funding, rural economic development initiatives, and programs increasing access to capital in underserved communities.

Throughout her legislative career, Edith has supported clean energy investment, environmental protection, and Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts. Her record includes support for offshore wind development, transit funding, environmental protections, and legislation projected to lower utility costs for Maryland families.

Edith has consistently supported legislation focused on foster care reform, tenant protections, reproductive rights, immigrant protections, and criminal justice reform. Her work includes support for the Community Trust Act, the Maryland Values Act, expungement reform, and legislation increasing oversight and accountability within Maryland’s foster care system.

Across more than four decades, Edith has served her community through education, county government, higher education oversight, and the Maryland General Assembly. Her leadership roles with the Charles County Board of Education, Charles County Commission, Women Legislators of Maryland, and Southern Maryland Delegation reflect a long-standing commitment to public service and community advocacy.