RSSD.C. Councilmembers
At-Large
Anita Bonds
Term: Dec. 11, 2012 - Jan. 2, 2015
Political Affiliation: Democratic Party
Office: 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 408, Washington, DC 20004
Tel: (202) 724-8064 | Fax: (202) 724-8099
Committees
Key Staff
Biography
Anita Bonds has spent her entire adult life as a true grassroots organizer, activist, and trusted political ally for campaigns and causes across the spectrum of the civil rights, social justice, worker’s rights, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality and women’s equality movements. Selfless, dedicated and an experienced coalition builder, Anita exemplifies the best definition of a community organizer. Her passion for people and the community is unparalleled.
From D.C. Public Schools to Berkeley University
Anita Bonds grew up in the Benning Ridge neighborhood of Ward 7, where her mother still resides. She attended John Philip Sousa Jr. High, where she was nationally recognized in the Westinghouse Science Fair competition and then attended High School at McKinley Tech. Following, Anita was one of few African American women to attend the University of California at Berkeley during our nation’s free speech movement in the late 1960’s. While at Berkeley, Anita developed a passion for progressive politics and advancing the civil rights and women’s rights movements. Following college, Anita returned home to the District, married, and raised her three children in both the Bellevue community of Ward 8, and in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. The young mother soon became a politically active leader in the city’s struggle for civil rights and equal justice with the Young Democrats of America, as Chair of the Women’s Political Caucus, and as a Statehood Compact Commissioner.
Dedicated Civil Servant, Trusted Mayoral Advisor
Her detail to organizing and reputation as an effective facilitator led her to become a trusted advisor and cabinet member in the administrations of Mayors Anthony Williams, Sharon Pratt and Marion Barry. One highlight of service was her involvement in the creation of Mayor Barry’s Youth Summer Jobs Program and her working alongside the Mayor to lift families out of poverty through jobs and job training initiatives. As Director of the Office of Neighborhood Engagement, Anita was integral in Mayor Anthony William’s stellar record of delivering good government services.
Anita also retains in-depth legislative experience from serving as chief of staff to a councilmember and as the ranking staff member of the Economic Development Committee. While in government service, Anita’s thorough attention to responding to constituent concerns and her innovative problem solving helped to place current good government policies into action. As Councilmember, Anita will expand on this experience and bring needed changes in order to operate an efficient government and to cut wasteful spending.
Community Building Activist
Anita has served several terms as President of the Perry School Community Services Center, a non-profit that helps disadvantaged communities eradicate poverty and will continue to support strong public/private partnerships and increased funding of the District’s social safety net. Anita has been an officer of the D.C. Federation of Civic Associations and a four-term Chair of ANC 5C, which at the time included the Bloomingdale, Eckington, Stronghold, Pleasant Hill, Truxton Circle, and Edgewood communities. While chair of the commission, Anita spearheaded many projects that benefited these neighborhoods, including the renovation of the Florida Avenue Park and the beautification of tree boxes throughout Ward 5. Anita understands the value of our ANC’s and civic associations and the experience and commitment offered by their leaders. She will listen to these leaders’ opinions when voting on issues of importance to their communities.
Education is the Key
Anita believes in the promise of every student to learn, grow, and succeed in an increasingly competitive job market and she truly understands that a quality education is the best way to combat the social pressures that many of our students encounter. A recognized mentor to many youth who have now become leaders across the city and nation, Anita founded a neighborhood teen mentoring program benefiting the Truxton Circle and the Sursum Corda communities, teaching life skills through a tutoring program with an emphasis on academic studies. In fact, this successful program led Georgetown University to employ Anita to duplicate the program. At Georgetown, Anita helped create the Center for Social Justice, Research, Teaching and Service, where she served as Program Director.
Public Safety
Anita has been recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department for her outstanding community service and believes that public safety is an integral component of a safe and thriving neighborhood and supports maintaining a fully staffed Metropolitan Police Department and Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department. Anita also looks forward to supporting opportunities for the training and hiring of District residents into public safety jobs.
Proud Progressive Democrat
With the encouragement and support of Mayor Adrian Fenty, in 2006, Anita was first elected Chairman of the DC Democratic Party. As Chair, Anita erased a $27,000.00 deficit and secured ample funding to operate continuous party activities, voting drives, outreach, caucuses, and to hire full time staff. In 2010, with the support of Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Anita was re-elected as Chairman of the DC Democratic Party and was also elected to the Executive Board of the Democratic National Committee. Anita also once served as President and Vice President of the Ward 5 Democrats. A loyal supporter of President Obama and the Democratic Party, she is proud to advance the party’s support of equality for all regardless of gender, race, background or sexual orientation. Anita also supports the party’s policies to retain a strong middle class, health care for all, immigration reform, and green energy initiatives.
For the past 28 years, Anita has been an active member of Foundry United Methodist Church and is the mother of three children and seven grandchildren.
Recent Votes
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