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Biography
Rep. Jeannie Darneille has represented the 27th Legislative District, which
encompasses Ruston, much of Tacoma, and part of Fife, since 2001. A dedicated
community leader, she currently serves on the steering committee for the Pierce County Asset Building
Coalition and is an adult literacy tutor for Tacoma Community House. Jeannie worked for a
decade in colleges and universities before directing non-profit human services
programs at the YWCA, Emergency Food Network and the Pierce County AIDS Foundation.
Employment history since moving to Tacoma in 1979:
Representative, 27th Legislative District (2001-present)
Interim Executive Director of Hospitality House Shelter
Interim Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy of South Puget Sound
Executive Director of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation
Development Officer for the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, State of WA
Legislative Aide to Senator Lorraine Wojahn
Executive Director of the Emergency Food Network
Director of the Women's Resource Center at the YWCA
Continuing Education Program Coordinator, Tacoma Community College
EDUCATION:
Coursework, Tacoma Community College
B.A., Western Washington University
M. Ed., Colorado State University
CURRENT HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
Appropriations
Community & Economic Development & Trade
Human Services
Caseload Forecast Council (Chair)
Governor's Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS
Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:
Jeannie has a long history of social activism and
community involvement in Pierce County.
27th Legislative District Democrats
Graduates of the American Leadership Forum (former Board member)
National Organization for Women (former Vice Chair of Tacoma Chapter)
Pierce County Human Services Coalition (former Chair)
Christ Episcopal Church
Tacoma Community House Adult literacy volunteer
Past Service and Volunteerism:
Associated Ministries (Board member)
Big Brothers/Big Sisters (match)
Blue Ribbon Committee, Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (Co-Chair)
Breast Cancer Resource Center (Board member)
Council of Executive Directors of United Way Agencies (former Treasurer)
Chamber of Commerce (Education Committee member)
City Club (former Board member and Membership Committee chair)
City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission (Vice Chair)
City of Tacoma's Urban Policy Committee
Diocese of Olympia's Episcopal AIDS Task Force
Mason Middle School Boosters (newsletter editor)
Pierce County Community Prevention Planning Group
Pierce County Democratic Central Committee (Vice Chair)
Pierce County HIV/AIDS Advisory Group to the Board of Health (Chair)
Pierce County Medical Society AIDS Task Force
Precinct committee officer
Professionals for Choice (Steering Committee)
Sixth Sense
Stadium High School Boosters
Tacoma Community House (former Board member)
Tacoma Sunrise Rotary Club (Committee Chair)
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (Newsletter editor)
Women of Vision (Board)
HONORS RECEIVED:
Ruby Award, The Pride Foundation, 2007.
Poverty Action Leadership Award, 2007
The Pierce County Bar Association Marilyn Holzman Humanitarian Award, 2007
Lifelong Advocate Award, 2006
Community Service Award from the Tacoma Human Rights Department, 1990
YWCA Woman of the Year Award for Leadership, 1993
Leadership Award, People of Color Against AIDS Network, 1997
"Golden Sparkplug" Award from the Phoenix Housing Network, 1998
Achievement Award, City of Tacoma Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, 2002
PERSONAL:
Jeannie is 58 years old and married to Howard Graham, an attorney in private
practice specializing in disability issues. They live in Tacoma. Their three sons are
all college students. Jeannie is the eldest of six children in an Air Force family that
retired in Pierce County.
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