Delegate Jamila J. Woods , Maryland House of Delegates, District 26

Jamila Jaye Woods is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 26 in Prince George's County. She has served since January 11, 2023, and is noted for her work in social justice, health equity, and labor issues as a pastor and longtime activist.

Jamila Jaye Woods is a pastor and politician with over 30 years as a social justice activist. She serves as Pastor of Jabez Christian Community Church in White Plains, Maryland , and previously led Cornerstone AME Church in LaPlata . Ordained as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2004, she also ran Gabriel's Lyric Therapeutic Services, LLC, as President/CEO . Woods has two children .

Notable achievements and positions include:

- Member, Health and Government Operations Committee and Judiciary Committee.

- Member, Maryland Commission on Health Equity , Rare Disease Advisory Council , Maryland Council for New Americans , and House Committee on 9-1-1 Specialist Recruitment and Retention Workgroup.

- Advocated for minimum wage increases, including supporting a 2026 bill to raise it from $15 to $25/hour and eliminate subminimum wages.

- Testified for key bills like the Uterine Fibroid Study , Equal Pay for Equal Work , and Police Accountability.

- Elected to Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee , serving as First Vice President .

- Unsuccessful 2018 Senate run; won House seat in 2022 on a slate with C. Anthony Muse and Kris Valderrama.

Education and Political Experience

Education:

- B.A. in Political Science, Howard University .

- Master of Divinity, Howard University School of Divinity .

- M.S.W., University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work .

Political Experience:

- Investigative Hotline Social Worker, Child Protective Services, Washington, DC .

- Appointed to New Americans Council by Gov. Martin O’Malley .

- Elected to Maryland House of Delegates, District 26 .

- Member, Local Development Council, Prince George’s County .

- Interim President, Partnership for Renewal in Central and Southern Maryland .