Since she first took office in the House of Representatives in 1992, Congresswoman 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, Congresswoman 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.

The Congresswoman chairs the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Children and Families and serves as Ranking Member of the House Education Committee's Subcommittee on Education Reform. She is also a Senior Member on the House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Energy.

Congresswoman Woolsey graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior in 1981. She lives in Petaluma, CA and is the mother of four grown children and a grandmother of three.