BRENDA JONES BIOGRAPHY

Category: Chronicle Archives Published on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 20:00 Written by Michigan Chronicle

Council member Brenda Jones was elected to serve the citizens of Detroit in November 2005. As a member of this legislative branch, she pledges her commitment to advocate for positive progression, safe and clean neighborhoods, and opportunities for development throughout the entire community. Jones currentlyserves as chairperson of the City Council
 Rules Committee and is a member of the Internal Operations Standing Committee and Neighborhood and Community Services Standing
Committee. In addition, she is the chairperson of the Skilled Trades Task Force, co-chair of the Disability Task Force, co-chair of the Entrepreneurial Task Force, a member of the Homelessness Task Force, a member of the Belle Isle Task Force, and the Alternate City Council Liaison to the Detroit Public School Board.

As the former president of Communications Workers of America, Local 4004, Jones represented over 1,000 union members. During her tenure as president, she advocated tirelessly for fairness and equal rights in the workplace. She continues to work for justice for all workers. Jones currently serves as a board member for several organizations: the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, the Detroit Metropolitan Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues, secretary for the Communications Workers of
America National Minority Caucus, trustee of Michigan Minority Networking Women – Detroit Chapter, trustee of Elise Bryant Educational
Scholarship Foundation; and first vice president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) – Detroit Chapter.

In addition, Jones is a member of such groups as the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU), the Trade Union Leadership Council (TULC), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW).

Brenda Jones has been an active member of
the Wyoming Avenue Church of Christ for 43
years. She is also a precinct delegate for the
14th Congressional District. She is the former
president of the Oak Grove Community Council
and continues to be an active member.

She attended and graduated from Detroit Public Schools, Wayne State University, and Wayne State University Labor School. Her commitment to creating an atmosphere of fairness and justice for all has never wavered. She has been the recipient of numerous awards for her diligent commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of all: Spirit of Detroit Award, 1988; Sojourner Truth Award from the National Organization for Women; S’Hero Award and the Tip of the Spear Award from the University of Michigan Labor Studies; Community Leadership Award from O.L. Trone, Sr. Scholarships, 2007; Public Servant Award from the Arc Detroit, 56th Legacy Awards, 2007; and Distinguished Service Award For Outstanding
Service and For Inspiring Youth to do the Most Good in School and Community from the Metro Detroit Youth Day and Michigan Food &
Beverage Association, April 15, 2009.

Council member Jones is a trailblazer, visionary and humanitarian. She attends community meetings and meets with citizens in their neighborhoods. She has also taken part in several student career days throughout the city and hires high school and college student interns during the summer. In order to gain a greater understanding of the Detroit Police Department, she completed the Citizen Police Academy on May 7, 2009. She has sponsored several resolutions since being elected to Detroit City Council.

Brenda Jones’ greatest accomplishments, however, are feeding the hungry, providing shelter to the underprivileged, working to find job opportunities for those in need, and saying a kind word to the hopeless. She continues to
be an advocate for hope, opportunity and positive change.