Building a Bolder Vision
“A Selfless Life of Sacrifice, Steadfastness,
and Service”
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About Me
A
Selfless Life of Sacrifice, Steadfastness, and Service
Early Career
Debbie Odum, born in Washington, DC, began her service career on Marion Barry's campaign trail. She met Dr. Martin Luther King during the March on Washington planning, an encounter that profoundly impacted her life. Her early professional journey included working at Bowie State University and the Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
Community Leadership
In Annapolis, Debbie served multiple community roles, including President of the Annapolis Gardens Community Ward 3 Resident Council. She worked with local politicians like Josh Cohen and Kenneth Kirby, supporting their campaigns and community initiatives.
City Service and Retirement
From 2011-2023, Debbie worked in the Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department, including a special assignment with the Office of Emergency Management during COVID. She retired in April 2024 and immediately transitioned to serving as Ward 3 Community Liaison..
Biography
Deborah Jean Odum, nicknamed Debbie, was born in Washington, DC and
attended schools there. Debbie’s journey of service began on the campaign trail
for the former and late D.C. Mayor Marion Barry. “Despite his history of political
and legal controversies, Barry was a popular and influential figure in Washington,
D.C.” Without question and by all accounts, Barry got things done for all of the
people and he got it done quickly. At an early age Debbie got the honor to meet
Dr. Martin Luther King, she got the honor to shake his hand while he was visiting
some of the neighborhoods in D.C. this was during the planning of the March on
Washington, she never forgot that hand shake.
As a young adult, Debbie moved to Prince George’s County where she
started her own fashion business “Natural Glamour and Fashion”. Debbie later
began her professional career: First at Bowie State University, then briefly at the
Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Downtown Annapolis, and later semi-retiring from
the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund (MAIF). During this time, she moved to
Annapolis centuries ago.
In 2008, Debbie worked with Josh Cohen who became Mayor of Annapolis,
along with Kenneth Kirby Alderman for Ward 6 assisting in their campaigning for
their political careers. Then from 2009-2010 she served as the Housing Authority
of the City of Annapolis (HACA) /Resident Council / Resident Advisory Board
Presidents for various communities: Harbor House and Eastport Terrace,
Woodside Gardens and Annapolis Gardens where she met with tenants and
listened to their needs in the community. She remains a member of the HACA
Resident Council and the Resident Advisory Board President and V/President. to
this day. In 2010 Debbie served the City of Annapolis 2010 Census Canvassers
door to door to assist with the county’s census.
It was in 2010 that Debbie moved to Annapolis Gardens Community Ward
3, being elected as President of their Resident Council and still serving in that role.
From 2011-2023 Debbie thoroughly enjoyed working as an administrator for the
City of Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) which is probably the
most “front-facing” and public Department within our City government where
customer service is a mandated skill set and a requirement. Debbie also served at
the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, the Stanton Community Center, and her ARPD
tenure which included a 2-year special assignment with the Office of Emergency
Management (OEM) during COVID; mainly assisting with Winter Relief and the Call
Center. In April 2024, Debbie retired from the city and immediately began serving
as the Ward 3 Community Liaison.
