By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
The death of Mary Pat Clarke at the age of 83, former president of the Baltimore City Council, has sparked a deep sense of gratitude from elected officials and residents alike.
Former Maryland governor and Baltimore City Council member Martin O’Malley, who served with Mary Pat Clarke, expressed his condolences along with current Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and former Mayor of Baltimore City, Kurt Schmoke.
Clarke suffered a brief illness and was surrounded by family at her passing, on Nov. 10.
“Anywhere you go in this city, there is someone with a story about how Mary Pat helped them,” said Mayor Brandon Scott. “She was one of the first people to welcome me to City Hall when I arrived and poured into me consistently, while showing me how to serve from the ground up.”
Clarke was first elected to a four-year term as a city councilmember in 1975 with Clarence ‘Du’ Burns and Nathan Irby, Jr. to the second district. At the time, the city was divided into six districts, with three members each. Clarke would serve with them for another four-year term from 1979-1983.
In 1987, she became the first woman elected president of the Baltimore City Council, a role she held until 1995. Clarke returned to the city council in 2003 as a member, representing District 14, currently held by her mentee Odette Ramos. Clarke served the 14th District until her retirement from the council in 2020.
“Mary Pat and I met as young city council members in 1979. She spent her entire life helping people and getting things done, but it was her big heart, infectious laugh and good nature that made for the rare eloquence of her example. I will miss her,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07).
Lawrence Bell, a former Baltimore City Council member and president, remembers meeting Clarke as a teenager. He says her example should be followed by others.
“I believe that Mary Pat– who could talk to the working class, as well as upper class people–should be the role model for Democratic politicians of the future,” said Bell.
Jack Young, former mayor, member and president of the Baltimore City Council, recalls working for Clarke before seeking office.
“I worked for her as a constituent service aide while she was council president. I learned so much about how to deliver excellent service to our constituents,” said Young, “ I remember when the council president vacancy came up. I went straight to her out of respect to see if she wanted it and she told me she wasn’t interested, encouraged me to go for it and pledged her support. I was a better elected official because of her tutoring. I will never forget her for what she has done for me,” said Young.
Former Mayor Sheila Dixon also spoke on Clarke’s legacy.
“I was elected to the City Council the year Mary Pat Clarke was elected president of the city council. She was a mentor and I learned so much from her work ethic. When I became Mayor and she came back on the city council, she was a great partner to my administration.”
Dixon described Clarke as “a strong, energetic, spirit filled woman who loved the people of Baltimore.”
Nick Mosby, current president of the Baltimore City Council, said Clarke “was a true institution of public service, and her loss will be felt in every corner of our city. Her legacy of advocacy, compassion and unwavering dedication to her community will continue to inspire and guide us for generations to come.”
President-elect of the Baltimore City Council Zeke Cohen also weighed in on how Clarke personally made a difference in his life.
“Mary Pat was a mentor and leader for the City Council. We worked together closely on several policies impacting kids. A week before she passed away I asked her to come speak at a retreat I’m hosting for the new city council. She was thrilled! It is heartbreaking to know that some of my colleagues will not benefit from her wisdom. But her legacy will live on through the many young leaders that she uplifted. I feel tremendously lucky to have called her my friend,” he said.
During her tenure in office Clarke received many honors for her service. On Aug. 2, Mayor Brandon Scott announced the renaming of the newly upgraded Lake Montebello playground to “Council President Mary Pat Clarke Playground.”
Clarke was married to J. Joseph Clarke in 1963. He preceded her in death on Feb. 10, 2024. He was 83 years old. She is survived by children: Jennifer Clarke Hubbard, Erin Clarke Gorden, John J. Clarke Jr., Susan Clarke Chandrasekhar and a host of other relatives and friends.
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