PROFILE ON STATE REPRESENTATIVE GWYNDOLEN A. CLARKE-REED
Gwyndolen “Gwyn Major Clarke-Reed was born in Delray Beach, Florida. She attended Reverend Evins Primary School before moving with her grandparents to live in New York City. Her education continued in the public schools of New York. Gwyn has an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from New York Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree from Brooklyn College and a Master’s degree from Adelphi University. She has completed many post graduate courses at other universities in various subject areas.
While residing in Brooklyn, New York, she became a member of the Community Planning Board #17 and served for many years as Chairperson of Housing Committee and Code Enforcement. She is a charter member of the Lin Troy Block Association and President of the East Flatbush Local Development Corporation. Her community involvement led to her election as the first black member of Community School Board #18. She served that board as Curriculum
Chairperson. Gwyn’s service to many organizations in New York has been documented by the numerous awards she has received. As a result, she was chosen “Outstanding Community Leader” in 1976.
Returning to Florida in 1985, Deerfield Beach became the place to settle down. She immediately found herself getting involved with her community and city as she had done previously. Her activities have also taken her across the State of Florida and the United States serving on various boards and committees.
In March 1993, Gwyn was elected to the City Commission of Deerfield Beach representing District 2. In her first year she served as Vice Mayor of the city. She is very involved in her district making sure that there is an open of communication between the city and the residents. In March, 1997, she was re-elected to the City commission to serve her second term in office and re-elected unopposed in March 2001. In March of 2002, Commissioner Clarke-Reed took the oath as Vice Mayor for the third time in her tenure as a member of the City Commission.
In May 2002, Vice Mayor Clarke-Reed was installed as the President of the Broward League of Cities. She is the first Deerfield Beach official to hold this office. She is also the first African-American female in the 45 year history of this organization to be elected to this position.
The President of the Broward League of Cities is elected by city officials who are on the Broward League of Cities Board of Directors. Thirty cities of Broward County make up the Broward League of Cities. The Commissioner also serves at the state level. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida League of Cities and has served on the Board of the National League of Cities. She is presently a member of the National League of Cities Advisory Council. Commissioner Clarke-Reed represents the National League of Cities on the National Crime Prevention Council/Coalition of America Executive Board. Recently, Commissioner Clarke-Reed and the Broward Sheriff’s office collaborated and developed the first Haitian Citizen Academy (2004). The intent of the Academy is to educate the Haitian community about law enforcement and city government. She is presently working with the city and Deerfield Beach Historical Society to finalize a memorial on a historical site known as “The Old Colored Cemetery.” For the past ten years she has secured funding for a program for middle school students ages 13-15. This program is a summer work and mentoring activity known as the Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP).
Commissioner Clarke-Reed’s organization affiliations are, but not limited to: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Mango Festival Inc., American Association of University of Women, Northeast Alzheimer’s Day care Center Inc., Caribbean-American Democratic Club, Greater Deerfield Beach Democratic Club, Common Highlands Homeowners Association, North Broward Hospital District Community Primary Care Committee, and Kiwanis Club Deerfield Beach West.
Gwyn is retired from the New York City and Broward County School Systems. She appears in Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who in Community Leaders. In March of 2005 she retired from the City Commission of Deerfield Beach, Florida.
On August 26, 2008, Gwyn was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, District 92. She is completing her first term and will seek re-election to serve a second term. Her accomplishments in her first term have been extraordinary. She was able to pass legislation in her first year as a freshman legislator.
Since being elected to office she has received numerous Certificates of Appreciation and honors of special recognition.
Her family is very important to her. She is divorced, the mother of two children, Vincent and Veronica Clarke. Gwyn is a cancer survivor and supports the work of many health organizations. She is currently a candidate for re-election to the Florida House of Representatives, District 92.