The City of Gary and SMDG, LLC is proud to present the honorable Mayor Karen Freeman- Wilson with the Gary Legends Award for the month of June 2014.
Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Gary Legends Inductee
Born on October 24, 1960, Freeman- Wilson is a former judge, former Indiana Attorney General, and the current mayor of the City of Gary. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Gary’s storied Roosevelt High School and went on to become an honors graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She is the immediate past CEO of The National Association of Drug Court Professionals and Executive Director of The National Drug Court Institute based in Washington, D.C. With Freeman-Wilson at the helm, the number of drug courts in the U.S. doubled to 1700 and NADCP became the premier organizational advocate for drug treatment in the judicial arena.
Freeman-Wilson has consulted with the Office of White House Drug Control Policy, the Department of Justice and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the creation and implementation of drug policy. As the twice-elected Gary City Judge, she helped pioneer the drug court movement in Indiana and served as legal counsel to the Gary Urban Enterprise Association from 1995 to 2006.Despite her breadth of travel and influence throughout the United States, Freeman-Wilson’s loyalty and commitment to her home city has never wavered. Indeed, her passion for Gary, coupled with her experience and training, have positioned her for leadership and prepared her to tackle the major challenges facing the city.
Do you know a current or former Gary resident who has brought honor to the City of Gary? Nominate them as a Gary Legend, today!