KEY ISSUES: Labor and union advocacy Women’ s economic issues Education Consumer protection Health care Criminal justice Jobs Capitol Projects
Leadership Positions Held: State Representative since 1977 Chair, Judiciary Finance Committee, 1993-1998 Co-Chair, Ethics Committee, 1997-1998 Former Chair, Energy Committee Chair, St. Louis County Legislative Delegation Member, Pension Commission Member, Legislative Coordinating Commission Previous delegate to State and National Democratic and AFL-CIO Conventions
Legislative Highlights: Represents the House on 2005 Capital Investment Conference Committee Authored legislation which established Head Start, ECFE, DARE, Youthworks, and crisis nursery funding. Fought to enact the minimum wage for tipped employees and defeat the tip credit. Initiated legislation to fund statewide juvenile correction facilities. Authored the bill to establish the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Authored legislation to protect consumers from phone swindle campaigns. Established the conversion of Moose Lake from a Regional Treatment Center to a Correctional Facility. Initiated legislation that established a wind power industry in Minnesota.
Awards: Named one of the five top legislators by the readers of the St. Paul Legal Ledger newspaper two years in a row,
1998 and 1999. Minnesota Corrections Association Special Recognition Award, October 1998.
Recognized for leadership in support of children who have been sexually abused.
Recipient of the “Golden Ax” from Minnesota Fire Chiefs in recognition of outstanding support, 1996. Recipient, Jack Young Award for excellence in the field of community corrections, 1995.
Recipient, Outstanding Legislator Award, Association of Minnesota Counties, 1995.
Recipient, James Madison Fellowship for Outstanding Teachers. “Legislator of the Year,” St. Paul Business and Professional Women’s Association, 1986.
“One of America ’s 30 Outstanding Teachers of American Government and Two Party Politics,” Taft Institute for Two Party Government, 1983.
College of St. Scholastica Alumni Award for Professional and Community Achievements and Sr. Timothy Benedictine Spirit Award, 1998.
“A Woman of Honor” for Project SOAR (Displaced Homemaker’s Agency).
2005 University of Minnesota Duluth Legislator of the Year
2006 Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Honorary Fire Chief for support of the Fire Safety Account
2006 Senator Sam Solon Lifetime Legislative Service Award
2007-2008 Minnesota Farmer’s Union Golden Triangle Award Recipient
2007 Minnesota Citizens for the Arts Arts All-Star Award: Arts Advocate 2007 Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People Youth Advocacy Award
2008 League of Minnesota Cities Legislator of Distinction Recognized by Retirement Systems of Minnesota for steadfast support and strong advocacy for the 2008 Omnibus Retirement Bill
Achievements for Women: Authored legislation that allows women direct access to their obstetrical-gynecological caregiver.
Established a voluntary program that enables public health nurses to visit new mothers in their homes.
Established a minimum wage for tipped employees, a predominantly female field.
Included teachers, nurses and caseworkers in the corrections pension plan, eliminating an inequity that was largely based on gender.
Honored twice in “Politics in Minnesota” newsletter for creating a new committee process which is more open and empowering to those involved.
Fought to create day care for jurists and eliminate smoking in day care facilities.
Authored a variety if criminal justice legislation aimed at security for women including, increased penalties for domestic abuse, stalking, criminal sexual conduct, and prioritizing victims rights.
Education: Hermantown Public Schools BA College of St. Scholastica, 1961 Graduate work at University of Minnesota-Duluth, Macalester College, University of Wisconsin-Superior, American University, Indiana University
Employment: Independent School District 709 through Autumn 1997 Social Studies Teacher at Duluth Central High School, 1964-1997