Carolyn J. B. Howard, longtime Maryland legislator, dies at 87

Carolyn J. B. Howard, a longtime Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates, died on September 19 at the age of 87. Howard represented District 24 in Prince George’s County for nearly 30 years and served as deputy speaker pro tem from 2007 until her retirement in 2019.

Before her legislative career, Howard spent over three decades in the Prince George’s County school system, working as an educator, principal, administrator, and director of the Department of Federal Programs. She was widely recognized by colleagues as a mentor to younger lawmakers and a dedicated advocate for children and education.

Howard held a bachelor’s degree from Florida A & M University, a master’s in educational administration and supervision from Bowie State University, and an honorary doctorate in humanities from Sojourner Douglass College.