DescriptionMy project analyzes how the intersectional identities and subgroup membership of female Black legislators in the Maryland state legislature shapes their legislative decisions in comparison to White men, White women, and Black men. Specifically the dissertation focuses on the role that identity plays in legislative decision making and representation. Specifically, my dissertation explores the complexities of representing the intersections of race, gender, and class in policy deliberations by investigating how Black female office holders legislate 'intersectional issues' that are pertinent to members of marginally disadvantaged subgroups. I utilize in-depth elite interviews, case studies, and participant observation to investigate how members of the Maryland state legislature articulate the factors they include in the legislative decision making process.