Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall
Vice Chair, District 2
Conexión con Miami
As a Miami-Dade School Board member for District 2, Dr. Bendross-Mindingall has driven initiatives to boost student attendance, mentorship, and parent engagement, directly benefiting local schools and underserved communities. Her pioneering role as the first African-American female Vice Chair has amplified voices in education policy, fostering equity in one of Florida's largest districts. Her lifelong commitment, from developing male role model programs to chairing the Governor’s Commission on African American Affairs, has shaped proactive policies addressing Miami's diverse needs.
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Born in 1942 in Alabama and raised in Miami's Liberty Square housing projects during segregation, she graduated from Miami Northwestern Senior High School and earned degrees from Barry University and Florida International University, plus an honorary doctorate from Florida Memorial University. Her career in Miami-Dade County Public Schools included roles as a classroom teacher, principal, and adult education administrator, where she launched innovative programs for mentorship, attendance improvement, and parent involvement. Elected as a Democratic State Representative for District 109 from 2000 to 2008, she championed education and community issues until term limits ended her tenure. In 2010 and 2014, voters elected her to the Miami-Dade County School Board for District 2, where she became the first African-American woman Vice Chair in 2015. She continues to advocate for students, teachers, and families as a tenacious leader on the board.