Background
Hood, Glenda E. was born on March 10, 1950 in Orlando, Florida, United States.
politician List of mayors of Orlando
Hood, Glenda E. was born on March 10, 1950 in Orlando, Florida, United States.
Bachelor in Spanish, Rollins College. Postgraduate, Harvard University. Postgraduate, Georgia State University.
A Republican, Hood served as a district commissioner for the City of Orlando from 1982 to 1992, when she was elected Mayor. She was re-elected to 4-year terms as mayor in 1996 and 2000. She also has served as President of the National League of Cities, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Hood"s time as mayor coincided with Linda Chapin"s chairmanship of the Orange County Commission, a time when feminine influence over local politics was at an all-time high
The two women, along with state senator (and future lieutenant governor) Toni Jennings and Dianna Fuller Morgan (Walt Disney World"s Senior Vice President for Community and Government Relations), were recognized as the leaders of the local "old girl network." They formed close friendships despite surface political differences, and even took annual Christmas shopping trips to New York City together. In January 2003, at the start of his second term as Governor, Florida Governor Jeb Bush appointed Hood to the office of Secretary of State of Florida.
She was Florida"s first non-elected Secretary of State, serving in the position from January 2003 until November 21, 2005. In March 2003, it was reported that Bush would appoint her as the new lieutenant governor to succeed Frank Brogan, who resigned.
Bush instead named her old friend Jennings as lieutenant governor.
As Secretary of State she was at the center of controversy over her management of elections, including her order that voter registrations be invalidated as "incomplete" when the box for "United States Citizen" was not checked, even though applicants signed the cards with a statement attesting they were citizens. Hood currently serves on the board of the national profit Afterschool Alliance, an organization that works to support after school programs for all children. Hood endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2008 presidential election.
A fourth-generation Floridian, Hood was born in Orlando and graduated from Oak Ridge High School there.
She attended Rollins College, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. She also completed a program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Vice chairman municipal planning board City of Orlando, member nominating board, chairman task force board and commission restructure. Past chairman, founding member board directors Foundation Orange County Public Schools. Co-chairman Orlando Fights Back-Coalition for a Drug-Free Community.
Board directors University Central Florida Foundation, Metropolitan Orlando Urban League. Past president executive board Central Florida Council of Boy Scouts. Board overseers Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business.
Member advisory board Valencia Community College, Florida- Costa Rica Institute. Past co-chairman United Negro College Fund. President Junior League Orlando-Winter Park, Volunteer Service Bureau.
Member Orange County Commission on Children. Member National League of Cities (past president), Florida League of Cities (past president), Florida Chamber of C. (past president), Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce (past vice president).
Married Charles M. Hood III. 3 children.