Biography

PERSONAL:
Phyllis was born in Hardin, Montana to migrant farmworkers. Her family moved to Washington State in 1942. Phyllis grew up in the Yakima Valley, Wapato & Toppenish. She later moved to the Tri-Cities. Phyllis and her husband Larry have lived in the 46th District, North Seattle, since 1976. They have 10 children and 18 grandchildren.

EMPLOYMENT:
Former:

• Owner of a small business in Seattle

• Community Relations Consultant

• Member of the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board

• Assistant Commissioner, Employment Security Department

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Community & Economic Development & Trade - Chair

• Appropriations

• Appropriations Subcommittee on Education

• Joint Legislative Economic Development Committee

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES:

• Education, Improving K-12 and higher education

• Housing

• Economic Development

• Safe and Healthy Communities

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:

• Center for Women Policy Studies, Member

• University of Washington Dan Evans School of Public Policy, Board Member

• National Center for Policy Alternatives, Board Member

• National Council of La Raza, Board Member

• Seattle Community College District, Former Board of Trustees Member

• Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Former Chair and current member

• White House Conference on Small Business, Presidential Delegate

• Governor Gary Locke's Transition Team, Member

• University of Washington President's Minority Advisory Committee, Board Member

• Eleanor Roosevelt Global Leadership, former National Co-Chair

YEARS IN HOUSE:
1997 - Present