Mayor Lynda Bell has the distinction of being the first woman mayor in the City of Homestead's 96-year history. She was elected Mayor in November 2007 for a two-year term. She previously won a four-year term and served as Vice-Mayor from November 2003 to November 2005 and Councilwoman from November 2005 to November 2007. Mayor Bell was born in Hollywood, Florida and has resided in Homestead since 1979. She graduated in 1975 from Nova High School in Ft. Lauderdale and graduated with honors from Miami Dade College in 1997 with an Associate in Arts Degree in Communications. She is currently working on a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.
Mayor Bell is the Chair of the City's Management Review Committee and Chair of the Charter Review Committee. She is on the Governing Board of the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization. In 2008, Mayor Bell was one of five finalists in the entire state of Florida for the prestigious Councilmember of the year award.
Mayor Bell believes strongly in volunteerism and has dedicated herself to the community. As the former chair of the City's Education Committee, she fought for schools and is credited for the building of a new school opening in August 2009. At City Hall, she started a new program for school children called "A Civics Lesson with the Mayor." She has escorted many children through city hall and has educated them on local government. 
Mayor Bell is a member of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship where she leads Adult Bible study and is the mentor for the Mothers of Preschoolers group. She is the delegate from the State of Florida to the National Right to Life Board of Directors.
Mayor Bell is a former recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Athena award and has been an active member of the Military Affairs Committee for five years. She and her husband, Mark, have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.