congress Brenda L. Lawrence

Brenda L. Lawrence

Brenda L. Lawrence (née Lulenar; born October 18, 1954) is a retired American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 14th Congressional District from 2015 to 2023. A lifelong resident of Michigan, her district included parts of Detroit, Southfield, and 16 other cities in Oakland and Wayne counties.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Detroit, Lawrence was raised by her grandparents after her mother passed away when she was three. She graduated from Pershing High School and earned a degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Before politics, she spent 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service, rising from letter carrier to human resources executive.

Public Service and Political Career

Lawrence began her political career in education, serving on the Southfield Public Schools Board. She was later elected to the Southfield City Council and became its president in 1999. In 2001, she made history as the first African American and first female mayor of Southfield, serving four terms.

In 2014, she was elected to Congress, where she served four terms, rising to leadership as Freshman Whip and later Senior Whip. She was a Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on the Interior and served on the House Committee on Small Business. Her priorities included infrastructure, education, women’s rights, and economic development.

Legacy and Personal Life

Throughout her career, Lawrence emphasized bipartisan cooperation, believing that “a pothole doesn’t have a partisan answer.” After redistricting, she retired from Congress in 2023.

She was married to McArthur Lawrence until his passing in 2023. They had two children and a granddaughter.