Former Del. Carolyn Howard, who represented Prince George’s County for 3 decades, dies at 87

Former Del. Carolyn J.B. Howard, an educator who represented Prince George’s County in Maryland’s lower chamber for nearly three decades, died Saturday. She was 87.

Howard, also a past chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, spent the last 12 years of her tenure as deputy speaker pro tem. She retired in 2019.

“Her commitment to public service and steadfast advocacy for her community leave a lasting legacy,” House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk said in a joint social media post with Maryland House Democrats on Monday. “Delegate Howard will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her and work with her.”

Peña-Melnyk said Howard had special interests in transportation, economic issues and civil rights. Her experience as an administrator in Prince George’s County schools also made her particularly knowledgeable and passionate about education.

“I had the honor of serving with Delegate Carolyn Howard on the House Ways & Means Committee,” Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller wrote on social media. “She was always so pleasant, kind, and she was a mentor and a friend to me.”

Howard’s family confirmed her death Sunday to News4, Washington’s NBC affiliate. She was married and had three children.

She was born in DeLand, Florida, just west of Daytona Beach, on Dec. 20, 1938. She majored in home economics and education at Florida A&M University, then moved to Maryland to get her master’s in education at Bowie State College, according to a state biography.

She worked as a principal in Prince George’s County Public Schools from 1981 to 1988, when she made her leap into public office. Already active in local Democratic circles, Howard soon emerged as the favorite to succeed former Del. Francis Santangelo Jr. after his unexpected death.

At the time, she was leading William Beanes Elementary School.

Howard served the remaining two years of Santangelo’s term and was reelected to keep representing District 24. Meanwhile, she continued working with the school district as a supervisor for its Title 1 program supporting low-income schools. After 12 years in that role, she also served as director of the district’s Department of Federal Programs from 2000 to 2005.

During her time in the legislature, she joined, and sometimes led, dozens of committees and subcommittees.

“Her unwavering encouragement, mentorship, and love will never be forgotten,” at-large Prince George’s County Council member Wala Blegay posted on social media. “We will all miss her dearly, but the path she paved and the legacy she leaves behind will continue to inspire so many of us.”

She was a member of various education, advocacy and community organizations, including the National Association of Elementary School Principals; the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals; the Maryland State Teachers Association; Delta Sigma Theta, a historically Black sorority; and the National Council of Negro Women.

In 2004, she received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Sojourner-Douglass College.

In an online tribute, the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women called Howard a “dedicated public servant” whose “leadership, unwavering commitment to public service, and advocacy for her community leave a lasting legacy.”

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