Duchy Trachtenberg
Montgomery County Council
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(240) 777-7964
e-mail: Councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov

Biography

Councilmember Trachtenberg is the Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP)  Committee, which has jurisdiction over economic and fiscal policy; spending affordability; County Government administrative departments; cable and telecommunications issues; technology issues; personnel and compensation issues; procurement policy and other matters.  Councilmember Trachtenberg also serves on the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee.

As the only Councilmember trained as a public health professional, Councilmember Trachtenberg has a special interest in the delivery of health and addiction treatment services, services for victims of domestic violence and their families, health and wellness policies and family justice. Her landmark regulation prohibiting the use of artificial trans fats in Montgomery County restaurants was the first such action in the United States adopted on a county level. 

Before being elected to the County Council in 2006, Ms. Trachtenberg, who holds a Masters Degree in Social Work, had maintained a private practice specializing in adolescent addiction. She is a past Governing Councilor and Chair of the Alternative Medicine Section within the American Public Health Association (APHA).

Councilmember Trachtenberg is a longtime leader of the National Organization for Women (NOW) Co-President of Maryland NOW and currently serves as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for NOW's National Board. Ms. Trachtenberg helped develop a state-wide Court Watch program which has earned recognition in the domestic violence advocacy community. 

Ms. Trachtenberg had been an effective grassroots activist for over twenty years on women's equality, mental health concerns and public health issues. She offers a strong track record of successful community networking and believes building coalitions is an effective tool in bringing about political reform. Her dynamic leadership style reflects her genuine commitment to full equality for all women and she sat for six years as a Progressive MD board member. Ms. Trachtenberg is the past co-chair (founding) of the Women's Leadership Network of the Maryland Democratic Party. She also served as a Women's Issues Advisor for the Dean Presidential Campaign in 2003-2004.

Councilmember Trachtenberg has been honored with the “Heroes” award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Montgomery County and the “Ally for Equality” Award from Equality Maryland.