Ariana Kelly is an American politician from Maryland

Maryland

Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...

 and a member of the Democratic Party

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

. She is currently serving in her 1st term in the Maryland House of Delegates

Maryland House of Delegates

The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...

. She represents District 16, which is located in Montgomery County

Montgomery County, Maryland

Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...

, and includes Bethesda

Bethesda, Maryland

Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...

, Cabin John

Cabin John, Maryland

Cabin John is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The placename is a corruption of its original name of "Captain John's Mills."-Geography:...

, Glen Echo

Glen Echo, Maryland

Glen Echo is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, that was chartered in 1904. The population was 242 at the 2000 census.Glen Echo derives its name from Edward and Edwin Baltzley, who came up with name circa 1888...

 and parts of Chevy Chase, Potomac and Rockville.

Education and professional background

Delegate Kelly grew up in Bethesda where she attended Walter Johnson High School

Walter Johnson High School

Walter Johnson High School is located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive in Bethesda, an unincorporated region of Montgomery County, Maryland.WJHS serves areas in Bethesda and Rockville, as well as the towns of Garrett Park and Kensington.-History:...

. Kelly also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied History, Women's Studies, and TV/Film Production.

Kelly has an extensive background in nonprofit management, media, and social service. In her early career, Kelly worked at at Travelers Aid International

Travelers Aid International

The Travelers Aid movement began in St. Louis, Missouri, under the leadership of Mayor Bryan Mullanphy. Its purpose was to provide assistance to American pioneers and new immigrants who became stranded on their journeys...

, Girls Inc, and Legal Momentum

Legal Momentum

Legal Momentum, formerly known as NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, is the oldest legal advocacy group for women in the United States. Founded in 1970, Legal Momentum is a liberal multi-issue organization dedicated to advancing women’s rights across the country...

. Kelly also produced PBS’ To The Contrary, a weekly news program. She covered a wide range of issues including state and federal legislation, business, education, health, and the environment. After leaving PBS, Kelly served as Executive Director at NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, and as Environmental Health Campaign Director for MomsRising.org.

Personal

Delegate Kelly is married to attorney Barak Sanford. They have a daughter, Maeve (b. 2004), and a son, Leo (b. 2007). She is the granddaughter of Maryland fire safety pioneer Francis Brannigan

Francis Brannigan

Francis L. Brannigan was a writer and teacher in the field of fire protection engineering. He died in his sleep at his home in Calverton, Maryland, United States, and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery. In his youth, he first enlisted and then was commissioned in the US Navy...

. Her parents, Anne Brannigan-Kelly and Richard Kelly, reside in Colorado. Her sister, Meghan Kelly resides in North Carolina. Kelly's brother, Jonathon Blum

Jonathon Blum

Jonathon Blum is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League ....

, and sister-in-law Kate Orman

Kate Orman

Kate Orman is an Australian author, best known for her books connected to the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who.-Biography:...

 are Australian science fiction authors.

Awards and honors

In 2011, Delegate Kelly was awarded the Young Woman of Achievement Award from the Women's Information Network.

In the Legislature

Delegate Kelly serves on the Health and Government Operations Committee. She also serves on the Insurance Subcommittee, the Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee, and the Bi-County Agency Committee.

Legislative notes

• Lead Sponsor on bill to expand insurance coverage for speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy for young adults with birth defects including cerebral palsy and autism. (HB 235)
• Authored bill to establish a Green Chemistry Task Force in Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development (HB 811).
• Lead Co-Sponsor for House Bill 235 in 2011, regarding preventing discrimination in housing and employment based on gender identity or expression
• Co-Sponsor for House Bill 175 in 2011, regarding marriage equality

External links

• Ariana Kelly at delegatearianakelly.com