Speaker Jones was born in Cowdensville, Maryland on November 20, 1954.  She attended Baltimore County public schools and subsequently graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1976. 

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Speaker Jones has been a member of the House of Delegates since October 21, 1997, and has served the 10th Legislative District for 24 years.  Jones served as Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2003-2019. 

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On May 1, 2020, the House of Delegates unanimously elected Jones as Speaker of the House.  Jones is both the first woman and first African-American Speaker in Maryland state history.

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Throughout her tenure, she has been able to make significant legislative strides to improve the lives of Marylanders, including record funding for education, police reform, and healthcare.  Speaker Jones does not shy away from difficult issues and instead unveiled bold policy initiatives to address racial and economic justice for all Marylanders.

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Speaker Jones is the mother of two adult sons and the proud grandmother of two grandchildren.