Brenda Lawrence

Brenda Lawrence served as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 14th district from 2015 until her retirement from the House in 2023.

Lawrence was born on October 18, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan. She earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University.

Lawrence worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years, starting as a letter carrier and later working in human resources management. She retired in 2008. In the early 1990s, Lawrence was elected to the Southfield (Michigan) Public Schools Board of Education, and served as president, vice president, and secretary during her tenure on the board. In 1997, she was elected to the Southfield City Council, and was elected council president in 1999. She served as mayor of Southfield from 2001 to 2015. She was the city's first African American and first female mayor.

Lawrence was a Michigan delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention and a superdelegate at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. She was the Democratic nominee for Michigan lieutenant governor in 2010, losing in the general election, and a Democratic candidate for the 14th Congressional District in the 2012 election, losing in the primary.

For information on Lawrence's policy subject areas, committee appointments and sponsored/co-sponsored legislation during her time in the U.S. House of Representatives, please visit her profile on https://www.congress.gov.