Senator Jeanne
Kohl-Welles
36th District  Seattle

Official Senate Biography

Democrat: Term expires January, 2011.

Elective Office: Senate, 1994–present; House of Representatives, 1992–94; House Majority Whip, 1993–94.

Legislative Standing Committees: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (chair); Health & Long-Term Care; Ways & Means; Rules

Education: Ph.D, sociology of education, UCLA; M.A., sociology, UCLA; B.A., M.A., education, California State University, Northridge; Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University – Senior Executives in State and Local Government; Fannie Mae Foundation Fellowship (2001)

Recognition/Affiliations: Charter Member, Legislators Leadership Council on Women and HIV/AIDS, Center for Women Policy Studies; "Uptown Park Award" by the Uptown Alliance for my support of Counterbalance Park: An Urban Oasis (2007); Public Official Award, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle (2007); Louise Miller Arts Advocacy Award, Washington State Arts Alliance (2007); Legislator of the Year, Progressive States Network (2007); Ancil Payne Leadership Award, Washington CeaseFire (2007); Legislator of the Year, SEIU 775 (2006); Legislator of the Month, Center for Policy Alternatives (June 2005); Anchor Award, Washington State Credit Union League (2005); Good Deeds Recognition, Washington Conservation Voters (2004); Queen Anne Citizen of the Decade (2002); Pacesetter Award, Women’s Legislative Lobby (2002); Marching toward Equity Award, Washington Federation of Teachers (2001); Humane Hero Award, PAWS (2001); Award for Outstanding Service & Advocacy on Behalf of Women in Washington State (Colleges Women’s Programs Council (2001); Legislator of the Year, Washington Student Lobby (1999); Child Care Champion, Child Care Works of Washington (1998); Washington Defenders Association and Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys Advocate of the Year (1995, 1996); Woman of Achievement Award, Business and Professional Women – Washington State (1995); YouthCare Advocate of the Year (1995)

Special Committees/Assignments: Present: member, Early Learning Council; Washington State Arts Commission; Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education; Joint Legislative Systems Committee; Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee; K-20 Network Board; Public Stadium Authority Advisory Committee. Former: Joint Legislative Task Force on Gambling; Washington State Liquor Control Board’s Three-Tier Review Task Force; Joint Legislative Systems Committee; Joint Task Force on Criminal Background Check Processes; Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Education Technology Advisory Committee; Governor’s Fire Protection Task Force; Children’s Legislative Oversight Committee; Child Care Coordinating Committee; Sentencing Guidelines Commission; Governor’s Task Force on Higher Education; LEAP (Legislative Evaluation Accountability Program)

Professional Legislative Associations:

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL): co-chair, Host Committee and treasurer of the Corporation for 2005 NCSL Annual Meeting in Seattle; NCSL Executive Committee (2002–05); NCSL Foundation Board (2003–04); Women’s Legislative Network Board President (2002–03); NCSL-U.S. Department of State Women’s Legislative Exchange Program with Brazil (2001 in Brazil, 2002 in U.S.); NCSL overall vice-chair of the Standing Committees; NCSL Education, Labor, Work Force Development Committee (vice chair, 2001–02); Assembly on State Issues Education Committee (vice chair, 2000–01); NCSL Human Services Committee

Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas and Confederation of Parliamentarians of the Americas (2005–06)

Center for Policy Alternatives: Flemming Fellow (1999); Western Policy Leaders Forum Advisory Committee (1996–2000), Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership Fellow (2002 Legislative Exchange with Chile) and Advisory Committee (2000–03); Work and Family Leadership Advisory Committee (1998–2001); Japan Society/Center for Policy Alternatives U.S.-Japan Exchange on Women in Public Policy (2000)

Center for Women Policy Studies – GlobalPower Fellow (2006); Foreign Policy Institute Fellow (2000); Washington State Humanitarian Delegation to Cuba (2001)

Professional Employment and Activities: Present: lecturer in sociology, education, women studies, University of Washington (1985–present); researcher, author, consultant, expert witness. Former: visiting assistant professor, Pacific Lutheran University; assistant dean of students, coordinator of Women’s Programs, University of California, Irvine; program manager, Project Equity (Desegregation Assistance Center, Region IX, U.S. Department of Education); lecturer, California State University, Long Beach and Fullerton; University of California, Irvine; Chapman College; Los Angeles Community College District; teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District.

Community Involvement: member, Board of Transportation Choices Coalition; Seattle Girls’ School Advisory Board member; Reinvesting in Youth Steering Committee; Queen Anne Helpline Board; Bayview Manor Board; National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association Professional Advisory Board; University of Washington Center for Women & Democracy Board (2005–07) and Delegation Leader to Sweden and Baltics (2003)

Personal: Married to Alex Welles; mother of five children; reside on Queen Anne Hill.

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