Jennie Forehand is a legislator who has served 15 years in the Senate -- preceded by four terms in the House of Delegates -- combining compassion with pragmatism to represent the concerns of her constituents in Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Garrett Park in the State Legislature.
Jennie’s constituent service, institutional memory and willingness to stand her ground on tough issues have resulted in numerous awards recognizing her leadership and forward thinking. For detail on her significant legislation, click here.
With the depth and breadth of her experience, it is difficult to quickly summarize her expertise and accomplishments.
Transportation
Jennie Forehand keeps transportation issues "on the front burner" for citizens and public officials. She serves on the MD-DC-VA Regional Transportation Planning Board overseeing the strategic development and federal funding for the area's rail and roadway development. One key regional transportation roadway, the Inter-County Connector (ICC), has begun construction after years of delay, thanks in no small part to Jennie Forehand's unwavering advocacy in the Legislature.
Health
Jennie also has a passion for health related issues. She played a leading role in making Maryland “smoke-free,” gaining recognition from the American Cancer Society for her efforts. She was the first State legislator in the nation to propose prohibiting genetic-based discrimination in health insurance and in the workplace.
Leveraging her experience on Montgomery County's Health Planning Commission, Jennie's active support for the strategic expansion of local health care resources such as Adventist Hospital ensures that community health care needs are met. As a Director on the Board of Hospice Caring, she helped create this facility, a haven for individuals facing the end of life and their families.
A strong advocate for mental health services, Jennie has given many speeches on depression as the result of her mother's recovery from severe clinical depression. She was a "founding mother" of Rockville's JLG Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA), a highly-regarded, community-based, clinical and educational facility serving those with severe emotional disabilities.
Economic Development
As a legislator, Jennie forehand has a knack for recognizing early on the technologies and trends that will have an impact on her constituents and the State economy.
She was a very early advocate for the fledgling biotechnology industry and vigorously promoted its economic potential for Montgomery County, introducing legislation to promote venture capital investment in start-up companies and facilitate community-based "business incubators."
Environment
An ardent supporter of Program Open Space to protect park and recreation areas in our State, Jennie Forehand was there at the beginning as this program took shape. As recently as 2009, she successfully fought on the Senate floor against restrictions that would have devastated POS programs in her district.
Jennie served on the Department of Environment's Task Force on Attaining Federal Air Quality Standards and is responsible for the first pilot program to test emission from diesel trucks. She continues to cosponsor and work for environmental legislation in the Senate.
Women
Senator Forehand is past president of the Women's Legislative Network of the National Conference of State Legislature (NCSL) and past president of the Women Legislators of Maryland.
Early on in her career, Jennie took the lead on such issues as domestic violence, day care access, family leave, child support, reproductive freedom and greater representation of women in the Judiciary, issues that are taken somewhat for granted in today's world. Her efforts won her recognition as a "Trailblazer" from the Women's Bar Association and put her into the Maryland's Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence.
Personal
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Jennie attended the University of North Carolina, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Relations. A businesswoman, Jennie founded Forehand Antiques and Interiors and has worked as a teacher, juvenile court probation counselor, and statistician. She and her husband raised two children in Rockville, sending them through Montgomery County Public Schools. Her daughter graduated from the Naval Academy and her son is now an architect.
