- Meet ElizabethNonprofit Leader. Small Business Creator. Public Servant.
Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker was elected to the Alexandria City Council in November 2018 and is the youngest woman elected to Council in Alexandria’s history.
Born in Alexandria to two Naval officers, Elizabeth is dedicated to serving her community. She co-leads Together We Bake, a nonprofit job training and personal development program for women in need.
Elizabeth understands the pressures of being a small business owner. She is the founder of Fruitcycle, a business fighting the tragic paradox that, while one in six Americans experience food-insecurity on a daily basis, 40% of our food is thrown into landfills.
Before launching Fruitcycle, Elizabeth worked for the National Governors Association, where she served as governors' liaison to Congress, federal agencies, and the White House on issues related to transportation, economic development, and health.
She was selected as one of Alexandria’s 40 under 40 in 2017 and serves on the board of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. She has served on the Community Criminal Justice Board and the Commission on Employment, as well as the boards of Agenda:Alexandria and the United Way Regional Council for Alexandria. She is a graduate of Emerge Virginia and the Alexandria City Academy.Elizabeth is a former Fulbright Fellow, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University, and received a Master's from the University of London.
Elizabeth, and her husband Stephen, are the proud rescue parents of Nori, a dog, and Julep, a cat.
- EndorsementsElizabeth has been endorsed by a number of local, state, and national organizations as well as prominent grassroots activists and elected officials in Alexandria.Alexandria TimesSierra ClubPeople for the American Way Next Up Victory FundBlue VirginiaGreater Greater WashingtonNew Virginia MajorityRun for SomethingCongressman Don BeyerSenator Adam EbbinDelegate Charniele HerringDelegate Mark Levine
Councilman Tim Lovain
“Elizabeth has shown management skills, a tireless work ethic, innovative vision and a strong dedication to the people of Alexandria, especially the most vulnerable members of our community. Her strengths will help Alexandria build a skilled workforce and ensure that all Alexandrians have the opportunity to build a great life for their families.” - Councilman Tim Lovain
Former Mayor Bill Euille
"Elizabeth's experience empowering women in need as a non-profit leader will allow her to do more to help Alexandrians with finite City resources. Elizabeth is a small business creator who balanced profitability with a social mission to positively impact lives and the environment, which will equip her to build partnerships on Council to address our City's most pressing problems. " - former Mayor Bill Euille
Former Mayor Kerry Donley
“Elizabeth is a true grassroots activist who takes the initiative to fix the problems she sees in her community. We need more Democrats like Elizabeth in local government – those with the right priorities who will create good public policy. She is the clear choice to keep Alexandria moving forward.” - former Mayor Kerry Donley
Priorities for Alexandria's Future
Elizabeth will work to ensure that:
Alexandria is a great place to live, work, and play
by -
- Extending the vitality of Old Town and Del Ray to the West End by streamlining planning, easing traffic, and attracting small business
- Strengthening smart growth to bring together big city vibrancy and small town charm
Alexandria City Public Schools work for every student
by -
- Increasing school capacity, modernizing facilities, and supporting students and families outside of the classroom
- Enhancing connections among Pre-K, ACPS, Workforce Development, and NOVA to prepare students for the future
Alexandria is inclusive for all
by -
- Ensuring that our teachers, first responders, and all Alexandrians have access to affordable housing
- Making certain that older Alexandrians achieve a dignified retirement that allows them to stay in our city
- Share Your Prioritiesfor the Future of AlexandriaWhat does your family need from Alexandria City Council in the next three years?
Get in Touch with Elizabeth
Share your ideas for the future of Alexandria
