Council Liaison:
*Prince George's County Intergovernmental Network (INET)
*Youth Scholarship Committee
*Junior Mayor Program From Pre-K to High School (Founder and Mentor)
* Mount Rainier Day Chair
* City Liaison to the Prince Georges County 47 District Delegation, Maryland State House and
US Senate and House
* Education Liaison PTO/A's
Other Volunteer Designations:
*Co-Vice Chair Outreach and Engagement, Maryland Municipal League (MML)
*Chair and Founder, MML Latinidad
*Founder and Co-Chair, National Organization Local Progress Nuestro Caucus
*National League of Cities (NLC) Small Cities Council Appointee
*National League of Cities Hispanic Elected Local Official (HELO) Member
*Maryland Black Mayors Member
*North Brentwood Historical Society member
*Friends of the Library Member
* MML/ University of Maryland Torchbearer, mentoring local elected officials
Mayor Celina Benitez is the 23rd Mayor serving the City of Mount Rainier. Elected in 2021, she holds the distinction of being the first Latina Mayor of the City of Mount Rainier. She moved to Mount Rainier over 12 years ago and joined her family that had been living in the city for over 25 years prior. As a dedicated public servant, Mayor Benitez is at the forefront of several critical initiatives in the City of Mount Rainier. Her works include addressing food insecurity, empowering small businesses and promoting environmentally sustainable practices through various green initiatives in the City. One of her notable achievements is the passage of the Rent Stabilization Law in 2022, first city in Maryland in over 30years that past the law, demonstrating her commitment to affordable housing. Mayor Benitez's commitment to education is reflected in her authorship of the Youth Scholarship Program, which was overwhelmingly approved by the City Council in 2018. This program annually awards scholarships to the most deserving students in the City, underlining her dedication more than $120,000 have been awarded providing opportunities for the younger generation. Before assuming her role as Mayor, Celina Benitez served as a Ward 1 Councilmember from 2017 to 2021. Her journey through education began in a public school in California, culminating in her University graduation with a degree in Political Science concentration in Public Policy and International relations. Mayor Benitez also holds as AA in Liberal Arts and was the Student Body President. She was born in El Salvador and immigrated to the United States as a child alongside her mother and siblings. Her proficiency in both English and Spanish allows her to effectively connect with a diverse range of residents, fostering inclusivity and understanding throughout the community. Since Over 3 decades Mayor Benitez has been an advocate for Immigration rights at the local and national level. An international observer of elections for several countries for over 20 years. For many years, Mayor Benitez has advocated to create a welcoming atmosphere in Mount Rainier where City Government can represent its diverse residents. She authored several City Resolutions and Proclamations recognizing the City's cultural diversity such as proclaiming June as Pride Month making Mount Rainier the first city in the region to raise the progressive Pride Flag outside City Hall during Pride Month. Some of her notable Proclamations celebrating cultural diversity include: Black History Month, Juneteenth, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Arab American Heritage Month and Latino Heritage Month. During the pandemic Mayor Benitez held food distributions with volunteers for close to 2 years holding office hours for residents on location in the community Monday through Friday and every other weekend to bring the resources needed including vaccine clinics, face masks, and help with rental assistance. Often you can find Mayor Benitez in the community working along with staff and community members in several projects to increase the safety of the City, visiting and bringing information to Mount Rainier seniors. She also actively collaborates with three public elementary Schools and PTO/As as part of the Junior Mayor Program to incentivize youth to be leaders in their community. Towards that effort she has authored the Resolution that grants residents age 16+ year old to vote in the Mount Rainier Municipal elections. Mayor Benitez is the co-author of the Million Dollar Incentive Fund that aids businesses in Mount Rainier growth in our community, among the business awarded include: Pennyroyal Station, Era Wine, Colors by Tangie, Hands on Barber, Dodah's Kitchen. She has led efforts to support local businesses and supports the Department of Economic Development's business development programs and revitalization efforts, aiding in mentoring young adults in the field of community development. One of Mayor Benitez' priorities is fiscal accountability for the City of Mount Rainier included submitting Fiscal Audits yearly and on time. Through her leadership, in four years serving as a Mayor, 7 audits have been submitted, last three were submitted on time placing Mount Rainier for the first time in decades on good standing. Being fiscally responsible, Mayor Benitez has led the efforts on applying and advocating for grants with over $20 million in funding awarded to capital projects while lowering the taxes, increasing tax credits for seniors and military retirees to age in place in order continue enhancing Mount Rainier while not losing our charm. Beyond public service, Mayor Benitez is a loving mother to her daughter, Isabella, and two adopted rescue cats. During her free time, she spends time with her daughter with their shared passions include an appreciation for the arts, a love for travel, an enthusiasm for dancing, a dedication to supporting local businesses, volunteering, or participating with her favorite non-profits and a penchant for exploring parks, museums, and libraries. Mayoral Proclamations: https://mountrainiermd.org/275/Mayoral-Proclamations
Newsletter Message From
Mayor Celina Benitez: https://mountrainiermd.org/191/City-Newsletter
