Vice Mayor Jennifer Bowles

Jennifer Bowles was elected to Martinsville City Council on November 4, 2014. She began her first four-year term on January 5, 2015, as a newly-elected Council Member and Vice-Mayor. She is the youngest person ever elected to City Council, the first African American woman to serve in a leadership position as the Vice Mayor, and along with Mayor Kathy Lawson the first female duo of Mayor and Vice-Mayor in the City’s history.

Bowles is a graduate of Averett University with a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing, a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies, and a graduate of Martinsville High School with an advanced studies diploma. Bowles is also a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program and Sorensen’s Political Leaders Program. Bowles currently works at Averett University as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Enrollment Management.

A servant leader for Martinsville, Bowles is involved in various activities:

Fayette Area Historical Initiative Advisory Board Member

Martinsville/Henry County SPCA Board Member

West Piedmont Planning District Commissioner

CEDs Committee Chair for the West Piedmont Planning District Commission

Virginia Association of Planning Districts Commissioner

Virginia Municipal League, Education and Human Development Committee

Virginia First Cities, Martinsville representative

Salvation Army Board member

Governor Ralph Northam's Transition Committee 

In her spare time, Bowles enjoys reading, spending time with family, playing with her goddaughters, nephews, and niece, and playing with her dogs, King and Wiggles. 

Contact Information
1670 Roundabout Road, Martinsville, VA  24112
Telephone: 276-224-7738
E-mail: jbowles@ci.martinsville.va.us