Senator, North Carolina State Senate, 1997-2013

Mayor, Town of Carrboro, 1987-1996

Former Member, Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, North Carolina State Senate

Former Member, Finance Committee, North Carolina State Senate

Member, Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations

Member, Joint Legislative Correction and Crime Control Commission

Former Member, Mental Health and Youth Services Committee, North Carolina State Senate

Minority Caucus Secretary, North Carolina State Senate

Former Member, Rules and Operations of the Senate Committee, North Carolina State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, North Carolina State Senate

Member, Town of Carrboro Economic Sustainability Commission

Member, Advisory Committee, Family-Centered Services, 2005

Member, Governor's Advocacy Council on Children and Youth, 2005

Member, Interagency Council for Coordinating Homeless Programs, 2005

Member, Energy Policy Council, 2003

Member, Environmental Review Commission, 2003

Co-Chair, Legislative Study Commission on Children and Youth, 2003

Chair, Legislative Women’s Caucus, 2001-2002

Member, Carrboro Downtown Commission, 1985-1987

Member, Carrboro Historic Task Force, 1985-1987

Chair, Chapel Hill Historic District Commission, 1979

Attorney, retired

Attorney, North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Incorporated, 1993-2003

Library Technical Assistant, University of North Carolina Music Library and Wilson Library, 1982-1989

Private Music Teacher and Performer, 1973-1982

Board Member, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition of North Carolina

Member, Back Together Again

Member, Board of Governors, Summit House

Member, League of Women Voters

Member, Budo Karate, 1999-2002

Chair, Board of Directors, Our Children's Place, 2001

Member, Board of Directors, Summit House, 2001

Member, Habitat For Humanity Host Committee for Orange County, 2001

Member, Advisory Board, University of North Carolina School of Nursing, 1998-2000

Member, North Carolina Alliance for Arts Education, 1997-2000

Member, Chapel of the Cross Social Ministry Committee, 1998