Barbara Lee is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives who represented California's 12th Congressional District from 1998 to 2024. Born on July 16, 1946, in El Paso, Texas, she moved to San Fernando, California, after grammar school and worked with the local NAACP to integrate her high school cheerleading squad. As a single mother raising two sons, Tony and Craig, she became inspired by Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, registering to vote and serving as a delegate at the 1972 Democratic National Convention. Notable achievements include being the highest-ranking African American woman in Democratic leadership as co-chair of the House Policy and Steering Committee, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus , and leading efforts on poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS advocacy, racial justice, and global peace. She authored 67 bills signed into law as a California legislator, championed LGBT issues, women's rights, and authored the California Violence Against Women Act.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended Mills College, where she served as president of the Black Student Union.
• Political Experience:
  • Elected to the California State Assembly in 1990 , becoming the first African American woman from Northern California; created the California Legislative Black Caucus and California Commission on the Status of African American Males.
  • Elected to the California State Senate in 1996.
  • Elected to the U.S. House in 1998 via special election for California's 9th District ; served on House Appropriations, Budget, and Policy Committees.
  • Democratic National Committee member; part of Democratic Platform Drafting Committees .
  • Honors: Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize, Congressional Leadership Award , Lifetime Legacy Achievement Award .