Marlene Griggs-Knope is Leslie's mother and a longtime public official in Pawnee, Indiana. Marlene is known as a no-nonsense woman, having made it as far in her career as she has thanks to her ability to intimidate people to get what she wants. Leslie idolizes her mother and does whatever she can to get her approval. Marlene is proud of her daughter but not overly effusive with compliments or encouragement.