Martha Solt
I have lived in the Friendship Heights area for over thirty-five years, most recently at the Carleton on North Park Avenue. Over the years, I walked through Woodward and Lothrop coming out of the Metro, shopped at Lord and Taylor, got ice cream at Giffords, and patronized some of the smaller stores in what is now The Collection. My husband and I raised three children in this area, all of whom went through Montgomery County public schools.
For my entire professional career, I served as an Economist for federal financial regulators, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). I now work part-time for a consumer advocacy non-profit, Public Citizen.
While at the FDIC, I was elected to the local union chapter of DC area employees. Serving as a union representative has been as meaningful to me as my professional work and it framed my thinking on what it means to represent people. First as a steward, then as an officer negotiating agreements on pay, benefits, and working conditions, I learned that representing people demands learning and knowing what is important to people and what they want, along with constant communication. I now serve as an elected board member for the National Treasury Employees Union representing over 10,000 employees who work in federal financial regulatory agencies (and retirees).
I love urban living and want to make my home in a vibrant, attractive community, where people of all backgrounds and ages feel safe and welcome. That vision requires dedication and collaborative work with others who want to represent the residents of the Village of Friendship Heights.
If elected to the Village Council, I will work to represent you and other Council members with respect and professionalism.