Biography

About Jeannie

I'm proud to represent the 27th Legislative District and to Chair the General Government Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives. My experience of growing up in an Air Force family -- moving enough times to attend 15 schools -- continued through a decade of working in colleges and universities in four states before moving to Tacoma in 1979. I moved here to be closer to my family, including my dad Chuck (retired Air Force CMSgt), my mom Katie (retired nurse and church secretary) and my five siblings. I have now lived in a five-block radius in the 27th Legislative District for nearly 30 years. Along the way, I received degrees from Western Washington University (BA Art History) and Colorado State University (M.Ed. Higher Education Administration).

My folks are now both deceased, but they taught me scores of lessons on how to live my life. One lesson centered on volunteerism. My volunteering started at Planned Parenthood in Bellingham and continues today as an adult literacy volunteer with Tacoma Community House and as a member of the steering committees for the Pierce County Asset Building Coalition and the Road Home (planning to end homelessness). I have served on the boards of directors for the Breast Cancer Resource Center, City Club of Tacoma, Associated Ministries, Tacoma Community House and the Graduates of the American Leadership Forum, and others.

I've cooked at the Hospitality Kitchen, donated many pints of blood, published newsletters for the Mason Middle School Booster Club, and helped organize the Women of Vision conference with Soviet and American women during the Goodwill Games. I've been a Big Sister, helped Sunrise Rotary put in a pocket park in the Hilltop, and went on a fact-finding trip to Central America as Vice-Chair of the Tacoma Human Rights Commission. I've organized, organized, organized...well, the list could go on. Suffice it to say a person can get involved with many wonderful organizations nearly 30 years. I know I have.

I've been described as being as tough as a 50-cent steak. I love that description, really. My faith experience has motivated me to work to improve the lives of the poor. My work has included being the Director of the Women's Resource Center at the YWCA, a Program Officer for the State where I set up the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, and the Executive Director of the Emergency Food Network. For eighteen years, I served as the Executive Director of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation. During the interims between sessions, I now work with other non-profit organizations as they go through leadership transitions. During 2007, I worked with United Cerebral Palsy of South Puget Sound; currently, I am running a shelter for homeless women in Burien. I am no stranger to taking on tough issues in our community, and maybe being tough as a 50-cent steak has helped me face those challenges.

I was fortunate to serve as the aide to Senator Lorraine Wojahn during the 1985 session of the Legislature. It is an honor to serve now in the position that opened up when the esteemed Senator retired after 30 years of service in the Legislature.

I'm married to Howard Graham, an attorney in private practice specializing in disability issues. We are blessed with three great sons, all in college (Ohio State University, the University of Washington Law School, and DigiPen Institute of Technology). I'm fifty-eight, and an avid baseball fan (Go Rainiers!). Finally, I am proud to have represented the residents of the 27th Legislative District in the House of Representatives since 2001.

I understand the needs of families struggling to make ends meet. I am a proven community leader and have worked for thirty years to improve services for persons who are disabled and for people in need. In the legislature, I work to increase education funding for all learners; expand health care for children, families, and persons who are disabled; develop a safe environment for children and adults to learn, grow, and thrive; safeguard civil liberties; and promote economic opportunities to create living-wage jobs that improve the well-being of families. In addition to chairing the newly created General Government Appropriations Committee, I also serve on the House Ways and Means Committee. Additionally, I chair the Caseload Forecast Council and represent the House Democrats on the Governor's Advisory Commission on HIV/AIDS.