Lawmakers select Maryland’s first Afro-Latina, immigrant House speaker

The election of a new Maryland House speaker made history, as Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk becomes the first Afro-Latina and first immigrant to hold the top position in the state House of Delegates.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Peña-Melnyk, D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel, came to the U.S. as a child. She was the first in her family to attend college and law school.

“At the age of 8, I came to the United States carrying little more than hope and determination of a family that believed in a better future, like many immigrants,” she said. “That’s why we come here.” 

Peña-Melnyk, of College Park, first was elected to serve in the House of Delegates in 2006.

“I am really, extremely humbled and honored to be able to serve the state of Maryland in this capacity,” she said. 

Before the unanimous vote, Progressive Maryland held a rally supporting Peña-Melnyk as speaker, calling her a champion for progressive issues, such as a higher minimum wage and health care as a human right.

“The first Afro-Latina in this role? Come on, y’all, let’s give it up,” said Nikki MG Cole of One Fair Wage, eliciting cheers from the rally. “Yes! This is what expanded democracy and representation looks and feels like.”

“She’s smart; she’s principled with a strong moral compass,” Prince George’s County Council member Eric Olson said.

“For me, as a woman of color who grew up undocumented in Montgomery County, seeing the barriers that people like Joseline Peña-Melnyk have broken, but not just that, but with kindness,” said state Del. Teresa Woorman.

Peña-Melnyk replaces Adrienne Jones, the first Black person and woman to be speaker in Maryland.