Lynn Carol Woolsey (née Robinson; born November 3, 1937) is an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from California from 1993 to 2013. She was a member of the Democratic Party and represented California's 6th congressional district.
During her time in Congress, Woolsey was a strong advocate for social and economic justice, and she was a vocal opponent of the Iraq War. She worked to promote universal healthcare, improve access to education, and expand workers' rights. She also authored and co-sponsored several pieces of legislation, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides job protection for workers who need time off to care for themselves or their families.
Woolsey was also a strong advocate for environmental protection and played a key role in efforts to protect the Northern California coastline. She was a co-founder of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and served as its co-chair for several years.
Prior to her time in Congress, Woolsey served on the Petaluma, California City Council, and as Mayor of Petaluma. She also worked as a high school teacher and was involved in various community organizations.
After leaving Congress, Woolsey remained active in politics and advocacy, and she continued to be involved in efforts to promote progressive causes and improve the lives of working people.
Early life, education and career
Woolsey was born Lynn Carol Robinson in Seattle, Washington. Woolsey graduated from Lincoln High School in 1955. She was educated at the University of Washington, where she became a member of Alpha Phi sorority, but left school early to marry Terry J. Critchett in 1958. She moved to Marin County in Northern California and enrolled at the University of San Francisco. Her husband left the family, leaving Woolsey to raise her three children alone, and they divorced in 1968. She received public assistance to make ends meet while working and finishing her education. She married David C. Woolsey in 1971, and raised another child, but that marriage also ended in divorce. She later became a human resources manager and business owner, a teacher at the College of Marin and the Dominican University of California, and a member of the Petaluma, California, City Council before running for Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
Political campaigns
In 1992, five-term Congresswoman Barbara Boxer gave up her seat to make a successful run for the Senate. Woolsey entered a nine-way Democratic primary. Seven of her opponents lived in Marin County and split that county's vote, allowing Woolsey to win the nomination with 26 percent of the vote. In the general election, she faced Republican Assemblyman Bill Filante, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and did not actively campaign. Woolsey won with 65 percent of the vote.
Woolsey was reelected eight times with no substantial opposition.
Tenure
Woolsey was ranked as the most liberal member of Congress in 2012 by That's My Congress.
Welfare reform
She quickly made her presence known, drawing upon her experience in vocal opposition to the major welfare reform initiative negotiated by House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton in the mid-1990s. She later led efforts to restore programmatic funding for services such as child care, nutrition, and paid parental leave. She also passed legislation increasing the power of the IRS to enforce payment of delinquent child support.