Linda W. Cropp

Linda W. Cropp
Cropp orating in February 2006.
6th Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia
In office 1997–2007
Preceded by	David A. Clarke
Succeeded by	Vincent C. Gray
At Large Member of the Council of the District of Columbia
In office 1991–1997
Preceded by	Betty Ann Kane
Succeeded by	Arrington Dixon
Personal details
Born	(1947-10-05) October 5, 1947 (age 70) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Dwight S. Cropp
Relations	Christian Alexander (grandson)
Children	Alison Christopher
Alma mater	Howard University (B.A., Government) Howard University (Master of Education)

Linda Washington Cropp (born October 5, 1947) is an American politician from Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. She was a Democratic member of the Council of the District of Columbia, where she was the first woman to serve as the elected Council Chairman. On September 12, 2006, she lost the Democratic Primary for Mayor (57%-31%) to Adrian Fenty. This loss came in spite of the fact that Cropp had been endorsed by outgoing mayor Anthony A. Williams. She was succeeded as Council Chairman by Vincent C. Gray.

Cropp received a bachelor's degree in government from Howard University in 1969. In 1971, she received a Master of Education degree in guidance and counseling from Howard University. She was a student-teacher at Eastern Senior High School, where she met her husband. In 2002, Cropp received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of the District of Columbia and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the George Washington University in 2007.

From 1970 to 1978, Cropp worked as a teacher and a counselor with the District of Columbia Public Schools.

In 1979, she ran for the District of Columbia Board of Education to represent Ward 4. At the time, she was a guidance counselor at Roosevelt Senior High School. Her candidacy was supported by then-Mayor Marion Barry. Cropp won the election, defeating opponent Victoria T. Street.