Government > City Council > Elected Officials > Alderwoman Sheila M. Finlayson

Alderwoman, Ward Four Sheila M. Finlayson (D) 

Sheila M. Finlayson is a native Annapolitan. She attended Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Morgan State University, earning a BS in English, and the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, earning an MS in Cultural Foundations. Returning to Annapolis, Sheila taught English and public speaking.

In 2002, Sheila was elected President of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County and had a successful tenure advocating for the professional, economic, human and civil rights interests of educators. She was elected, and served for six years, as the East Regional Director for the National Counsel of Urban Education Associations, representing nine states on the east coast. Sheila served the students and faculties of Anne Arundel County for 33 years before her retirement in June of 2007.

As an educator, Sheila was a consultant to the Maryland State Board of Education and the National Policy Forum, Washington, D.C., and presented at numerous conferences and conventions at the local, state and national levels.

Sheila volunteered on the Boards of Directors for Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, the Banneker Douglass Museum, the Community Action Agency and the Wiley H. Bates Development Committee and Legacy Center.

Sheila received gubernatorial and county executive appointments for both educational and historical committees and commissions. She is a trained political organizer, managing numerous campaigns for other elected officials, and a special events coordinator.

Sheila is a member of the Annapolis Chapter of the Links, Incorporated and has recently been named as Chairperson for Services to Youth in the East Region, advising 73 chapters in most major cities.

Sheila ran in a special election in January of 2007. She brings her strong education background and union skills to the City Council. Sheila’s interests include elimination of teen violence, collaboration and communication.

She serves the Council on the Public Safety Committee, the Housing and Human Welfare Committee and the Mayor’s Education Commission.