Friday Feminist Legislator Spotlight on: Barbara Boxer

This Friday's Feminist Legislator Spotlight is on Senator Barbara Boxer (CA). Boxer has been in the media a lot lately because she is facing a ridiculously expensive election in California against "Mama Grizzly" Carly Fiorina. So let me just highlight the contributions Ms. Boxer has made to the feminist movement during her tenure.

Senator Barbara Boxer was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and to the Senate in 1992. During her tenure, Senator Boxer has been a tireless advocate for women’s rights, writing and pushing legislation through the Senate that has benefited women. Senator Boxer has been the leader on women’s issues, and has worked on a wide range of women’s issues. In 2004 she authored the Freedom of Choice Act, and she was a champion in the floor fight for the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. She was also a strong critic of the Stupak Amendment. Also, while in the House Boxer authored the original Violence Against Women Act. Amazing!!!

Boxer is the first female chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee and she is the first senator to ever preside over two committees simultaneously (she also presides over the Select Committee on Ethics). She is also the second Jewish female Senator (first being Feinstein, California *challah*!).

Boxer has been a long time champion of women's rights in the House and in the Senate. If you're in the California area, I personally recommend you get involved in her campaign. She's an asset to the women's movement and will be sorely missed if she loses this race!