Spotlight Women: Brenda Carter

Brenda Carter

Brenda Carter is running for State Representative in the #29 District that includes Pontiac, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Auburn Hills and Orchard Lake Village. She has a vision for our state that includes, clean water, smooth roads and a better quality of life for the citizens that live here. She has been involved with our city politics for seven years, as a member of the Pontiac School Board. As President, she has work feverishly to solidify the growth of our children's education. She has won numerous awards, while serving our city. They include, Michigan Chronicle of Women's Excellence, Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence and Centro Multicultural La Familia Community Advocacy. Her husband,Randy Carter is President Pro-Tem of the Pontiac City Council, as Councilman of District #4. Together, they work civilly and tirelessly to help shape the health, well-being and re-birth of Pontiac.

Brenda and Randy Carter

In September of 2017, Mrs. Carter, accompanied by her husband, took 11 middle school children from Pontiac's school system to Japan. As part of the "Sister City" program in Pontiac, eight young girls and three young men, went to Kuatzu, Shiga, Japan. These students were a part of the International Technology Academy. While there, they attended school and became part of the school system of Japan. They lived with a host family, mingled with their students and learned about their way of life. It was an honorable event. The children prepared for an entire year for their trek across the globe. Mrs. Carter became very good friends with their parents. It was necessary, because she would be taking the children half-way around the world. The parents had to know her and trust her to protect their children, while they were so far away. Along with nine chaperones, they introduced the children to a world outside their city. Many of them had never been out of Michigan before. Still, they learned the culture, language and etiquette of Japan. It was mandatory for the trip, and while in Japan went before delegates and spoke to them in Japanese.

During this time, Mrs. Carter met a very special young woman,Lefferny Chipert She is a student at Pontiac Middle School. Intrigued by the young woman's dark skin and gorgeous hair, she asked her what country she had originally lived in before coming to America. Lefferny explained that she is Micronesian. It is a small island off the coast of Hawaii. Lefferny intelligence, manners and zeal to learn led Mrs. Carter to begin mentoring her, and taking a deeper interest into her education and development as a young woman. Their kinship is a testament of her commitment to the children in Pontiac, and cultivating their greatest potential. It's her hope that those children who had the privilege to go to Japan, remember her fondly in their life journey. Joyfully, she wants them to give back to the next generation. Mrs. Carter is a huge advocate of giving back to the next generation. "It is what we do today that will have a ripple effect on the next generation of students". Giving back is key to productivity in politics.

Mrs. Carter has a Bachelor's from  Spring Arbor College and a Master's in Public Administration from Oakland University. She is also a UAW skilled machinist. She plans to use the tools she learned, while in school to win the seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. Her dedication to the lives of not only the children, but the people of the #29 District is real. She has worked hard over the last seven years, along with her husband to build a place of economic security in the city. Together they have been an intricate part of Pontiac's growth and revitalization. She will be leaving the school board this year, but promises to always be involved with the children of our city. Besides, her husband has several projects that he is involved in to keep her busy with the city. His Annual Baldwin Clean-up, landfill and recycling efforts are ongoing in the city. New Mount Moriah is lucky to have her as a member, and she could lend her abilities to their administrations, if the election doesn't find her in the Michigan House of Representatives.

As a single mother, she has a son, before she married her husband, 20 years ago. He has four children of his own, and she is now a grandmother. She spends any free time in her life with her grandchildren. She feels, however that the children of Pontiac are her surrogate family. If she doesn't win in November, she has no worries, because she will keep up the good works she has done in the city all along. Participating in all the functions held in the city. Playing baseball, participating in the Democratic Conventions, being involved in political conferences and mixing with some of the heavy-weights in politics in Michigan and Washington D.C. Along with the politic affiliations she has in Pontiac, with the youth and regeneration efforts. No matter what happens, Brenda Carter is a gem for the city to adore. 

You can learn more about Brenda, her election and school board presidency by clicking the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/brenda.carter.50

https://www.facebook.com/BCforRep/

http://www.brendajcarter.com/index.html

https://www.pontiac.k12.mi.us/domain/36

https://youtu.be/VmTEq-WmXeI