Linda Cropp
Biography

LINDA W. CROPP
CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Linda W. Cropp began her career of public service 27 years ago in the classrooms of the District of Columbia Schools. After earning her Bachelor and Master's degrees from Howard University, Mrs. Cropp shared her passion for education as a teacher and as a guidance counselor. She went on to become the Ward Four representative on the Board of Education where she also served as vice president and president.

In 1990 Mrs. Cropp was elected an At-Large member of the Council of the District of Columbia. She immediately initiated her legislative agenda to improve the quality of life for all District residents. Mrs. Cropp served as Chair of the Budget Committee for Metro, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. As Budget Chair, Mrs. Cropp played a major role in the expansion of the Metro Rail System. She was also chosen to Chair the Council’s Human Services Committee becoming a major force in improving the District's public health. Under her oversight the District created the Department of Health. The reorganized agency focused on her priorities including prevention and control of substance abuse, reducing infant mortality, eradicating tuberculosis and fighting HIV/AIDS.

An overwhelming vote in 1994 reelected Mrs. Cropp to her At-Large membership on the Council. With the political tide turning against entitlement programs, she took on the monumental task of moving people from dependency to self sufficiency commonly called “Welfare Reform.” Linda W. Cropp introduced the Public Assistance Self Sufficiency Program Amendment Act of 1996. She guided the act through the legislative process and oversaw the District’s start of welfare reform.

Her colleagues chose Mrs. Cropp as Acting Chairman in April of 1997 following the death of the late David A. Clarke. After her victory in a special election, Linda W. Cropp was sworn in on August 8, 1997 as the first woman to Chair the Council of the District of Columbia.

Chairman Cropp is currently a board member of the Travelers Aid society, the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital and Junior Achievement. She has also served as a member of the United Negro College Fund Advisory Board. Other civic and public service affiliations include the NAACP and the Rock Creek Civic Association.

Linda W. Cropp is married to Dr. Dwight S. Cropp, Associate Professor of Public Administration at the George Washington University. They have two children, Allison and Christopher.