Member Biography:

The Honorable Jeanne Kohl-Welles
Washington State Senate (D)

Sen. Kohl-Welles represents the 36th Legislative District in Seattle. She was elected to the Senate in 1994 and has been re-elected twice since. Prior to this she served one term in the House, where she was Majority Whip in 1993-94. She is chair of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a member of the Joint Task Force on Criminal Background Check Processes; of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee; of the OSPI Education Technology Advisory Committee; the K-20 Network Board; the Governor’s Fire Protection Task Force; Children’s Legislative Oversight Committee; and numerous other committees, boards and task forces.

She has received the Anchor Award, Washington Credit Union League (2005); Good Deeds Recognition, Washington Conservation Voters (2004); Marching
Toward Equity Award, Washington Federation of Teachers (2001); Humane Hero Award, PAWS (2001); National Education for Women's Leadership Program (NEW Leadership) Honorary Advisory Board, Washington State University; Award for Outstanding Service & Advocacy on Behalf of Women in Washington State (Colleges Women's Programs Council (2001)); and numerous other awards and recognition.

She holds a doctorate in the Sociology of Education and a Master’s in Sociology from UCLA; and a B.A. and M.A. in Education from California State University, Northridge. She is a lecturer at the University of Washington in sociology, education and women studies, a researcher, author, consultant and expert witness. She is married to Alex Welles; mother of five children; resides on Queen Anne Hill.