Barbara Boxer

Barbara Boxer
source
Name	Barbara Boxer
Caption	Boxer in 2013
State	California
Jr/sr	United States Senator
Term start	January 3, 1993
Term end	January 3, 2017
Predecessor	John F. Seymour
Successor	Kamala Harris
Office1	Chair of the Senate Environment Committee
Term start1	January 3, 2007
Term end1	January 3, 2015
Predecessor1	Jim Inhofe
Successor1	Jim Inhofe
Office2	Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee
Term start2	January 3, 2007
Term end2	January 3, 2015
Predecessor2	George Voinovich
Successor2	Johnny Isakson
State3	California
District3	6th
Term start3	January 3, 1983
Term end3	January 3, 1993
Predecessor3	Phillip Burton
Successor3	Lynn Woolsey
Party	Democratic
Education	Brooklyn College (BA)

Barbara Boxer is an American politician and author who served as a United States Senator from California from 1993 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as a U.S. Representative from California's 6th congressional district from 1983 to 1993. Throughout her career, Boxer was a prominent liberal voice, known for her advocacy on environmental protection, reproductive rights, and gun control.

Early life and education

Barbara Levy was born on November 11, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York City, to a Jewish family. She attended public schools in New York City before earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Brooklyn College in 1962. During her time in college, she was a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and worked as a stockbroker for a period before moving to California with her husband in 1965.

Early political career

Boxer began her political career as an aide to John L. Burton, a member of the Marin County Board of Supervisors. She was elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors herself in 1976, serving until 1982. In 1982, she was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing a district encompassing parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. In the House of Representatives, she served on the Armed Services Committee and was a founding member of the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues.

U.S. Senate career

Boxer was elected to the United States Senate in 1992, defeating Republican incumbent John F. Seymour. She was re-elected in 1998, 2004, and 2010. During her tenure, she chaired the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee from 2007 to 2015, where she championed legislation on climate change and opposed the Keystone Pipeline. She also chaired the Senate Select Committee on Ethics during the same period. Boxer was known for her passionate floor speeches and was a vocal opponent of the Iraq War and the policies of President George W. Bush.

Political positions and legislation

A staunch liberal, Boxer's political positions were aligned with the progressive movement within the Democratic Party. She was a leading advocate for environmental legislation, including efforts to address global warming and protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. She co-authored the Boxer-Snowe Amendment to uphold abortion rights for military personnel and was a principal sponsor of the Violence Against Women Act. She consistently received high ratings from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Conservation Voters.

Post-Senate career and activities

After retiring from the United States Senate in 2017, Boxer joined the United States Agency for Global Media as a board member. She has worked as a political commentator for CNN and published a memoir, The Art of Tough: Fearlessly Facing Politics and Life. She remains active in Democratic politics, endorsing candidates and advocating for causes such as voting rights and climate change mitigation.

Personal life

Boxer married Stewart Boxer in 1962, and they have two children, a son and a daughter. Her son, Doug Boxer, is an attorney, and her daughter is a television producer. The family resides in Rancho Mirage, California. Boxer is a published author of several books, including novels and her political memoir.

Category:1940 births Category:Living people Category:American women politicians Category:United States senators from California Category:Democratic Party United States senators