Biography

Gwenda has been Neath's Labour Assembly Member since 1999. She was appointed the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services following the elections to the National Assembly in May 2011.

She was born in Neath in 1942, and was educated at Pontardawe Grammar School. She lives in Gwaun Cae Gurwen, and is married to Morgan. They have one son, Geraint. She was previously a Civil Servant, having served in the County Courts branch of the then Lord Chancellor's Department as an Executive Officer, and then at the Benefits Agency.

She represented her home village of Gwaun Cae Gurwen as both a Community and County Councillor for many years. She was appointed Chair of the Social Services Committees of West Glamorgan County Council and, following local government reorganisation, of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council - becoming the first woman to chair a major committee. She is a former Community Councillor, and was, until her ministerial appointment in 2007, the Chair of the Governing Body of Ysgol Gynradd Gwaun Cae Gurwen Primary School.

She was also Chair of "West Glamorgan Campaign for a Welsh Assembly" and Vice Chair of "Yes for Wales", Neath.

Her political interests include health, social services and the rights of carers, children, local government and the voluntary sector. She is a fluent Welsh speaker.