Commissioner Edith Jerry Patterson

Commissioner District 2

Edith Jerry Patterson of Pomfret, Maryland is a native of Doswell, Virginia and received the following degrees: B.S. Biology/Chemistry from Virginia Union University, M.Ed. Guidance and Counseling from Bowie State College, and Ed. D. from George Washington University along with several National Science Foundation Advanced Studies in Biochemistry.

Dr. Patterson is a former teacher with the District of Columbia and Charles County Public Schools, and counselor at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) where she currently serves as the Director of Educational Talent Search. She is also a grants reviewer/consultant for the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, the Congressional Black Caucus’ Education Braintrust and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Dr. Patterson has written and co-authored several grants promoting educational advancement and technology and was the Founding President for Charles County Public Schools Education Foundation and Vice-President of Education Technology Think Tank. Both organizations are committed to creating scholarships and resources for teachers and classrooms. In addition, she served as National Chair and Organizer of the National Education Support Funding Day. She is President of GLOBETown Associates, a consulting service.

She is a member of numerous professional and civic organizations and serves on Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s (D-MD) Military Review Board; former Congressman Major Owens (D-NY) National Commission for African American Education; Washington Area Council of Governments Air Quality, Maryland Association of Counties, past president Southern Maryland Chain Chapter, The Links, Inc. and member Nu Zeta Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Patterson is the recipient of numerous professional and civic awards and citations that recognize her leadership and advocacy for communities, women and the under-served. In 2007, she received the Women Opening the Pipeline Congressional Award and Maryland State Teachers Association’s Outstanding Achievement in Community Service Award.

First elected in 1983 to the Charles County Board of Education, during her 12 year tenure she served as Vice-Chair and Chair. Other elected offices include Member and Chair of the Charles County Democratic Central Committee and 2004 Delegate to the National Convention. In 2005 Dr. Patterson received a gubernatorial appointment and was elected to a four year term in 2006. She currently serves as Vice-President.

Dr. Patterson is the daughter of Joe and Deanna Jerry and was married to the late Ralph Patterson. She has two sons - Ralph II and Robert and granddaughters - Ryann and Evann.