Since she first took office in the House of Representatives in 1992, Rep. Woolsey has worked to make children, and their education, our nation's top priority. This commitment stems from her experience as a single mom on welfare. Thirty-five years ago, even though she was working, Rep. Woolsey was forced to go on public assistance to make ends meet while she raised her three small children. Eventually she worked her way off welfare, and today she is the first former welfare mom to serve in Congress.

Rep. Woolsey brought her dedication to children and families to the Education Committee where she established a pilot universal school breakfast program, successfully passed legislation to bring community services to schools, and worked to make college more affordable.

As the Chair of the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Children and Families, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey is dedicated to giving working families the tools they need to take care of their children. The Children and Families Task Force is tackling issues such as paid family leave; health care for children; and child safety. Rep. Woolsey is working to expand childcare for infants and children whose parents work non-traditional hours, and to improve child support collection.

In the 109th Congress, Rep. Woolsey was chosen Ranking Member, top Democrat, on the House Education and Workforce Committee’s subcommittee on Education Reform. In that role, Rep. Woolsey is working with both sides of the aisle to make education the nation’s number one priority.

In 2004, Woolsey won her seventh term with 72.7% of the vote in California's Sixth Congressional District, which consists of Marin County and most of Sonoma County -- the two counties just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Having lived, worked and raised her family in the North Bay for more than 30 years, Woolsey understands the concerns of residents of Sonoma and Marin counties. In addition to working to help children, Woolsey is dedicated to protecting Social Security and Medicare, paying down the national debt and protecting our environment.

In addition to being Chair of the Democratic Children and Working Families Caucus and Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Woolsey is a member of the House Democratic leadership. As an Assistant Whip, she helps rally votes on key issues. Rep. Woolsey also serves on the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus; the Child Care Caucus; the Afterschool Caucus the Congressional Human Rights Caucus; the Intelligent Transportation Systems Caucus; the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus (founding member); the International Workers Rights Caucus and the Congressional Friends of Animals.

Before coming to Congress, Woolsey worked as a Human Resources Manager for a large high-tech manufacturer in Marin County throughout the 1970s. In 1980, she opened her own human resources consulting and employment agency, Woolsey Personnel Service. Her experience as a former small business owner has guided her work on behalf of local workers and employers.

Woolsey served on the Petaluma City Council from 1984 until she was sworn into the U.S. Congress in 1993.

She was born on November 3, 1937, in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior in 1981. She is the mother of four grown children and a grandmother of four. Rep. Woolsey lives in Petaluma, CA.