Biography

Senator Lisa Brown  is the state Senate Majority Leader and an Associate Professor in the Master's of Organizational Leadership program at Gonzaga University.

Lisa was born and raised in Robinson, Illinois. She studied economics at the University of Illinois, in Champaign-Urbana and at the University of Colorado, in Boulder, where she received a Ph.D. She moved to Spokane in the 1980’s. As an Associate Professor of Economics at Eastern Washington University, Lisa became involved in public policy advocacy for working families. Her early activities included lobbying the Legislature for dental benefits for low-income people, as part of the “Molar Majority” and organizing the first “Take Back the Night” march in Spokane to bring awareness to victims of domestic violence.

At the request of friends and colleagues, she decided to run for a seat in the state House of Representatives in 1992, and her election helped make that year the “Year of the Woman”, when Washington State led the country in the percentage of public offices held by women.

In her first year in Olympia, Lisa accidentally ignited a state-wide controversy when she brought her infant son onto the floor of the House of Representatives during late-night floor debate – an experience which served to solidify her commitment to family-friendly workplace policies and resulted in the annual event in which legislators bring children and grandchildren on the House floor. Lucas, a product of Spokane Public Schools, is now attending the Evergreen State College.

After serving two terms in the House, Lisa was elected to the Senate in 1996, where she was quickly appointed to serve as chair of the Ways and Means Committee in her first term.  In 2002, she was elected minority leader.  In 2005, she became the first Democratic woman in state history to hold the position of Senate Majority Leader. 

Lisa has been a passionate advocate for Spokane, especially in health sciences education and research, gaining state support for medical and dental education and advanced degree programs in nursing and physical therapy.  She has gained support for bike trails, the North Spokane Corridor, The Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, and human services and community facilities throughout the region, including the Fox Theater, the Mobius Science Center, the renovated YMCAs and YWCAs, the Northwest Autism Center, and Crosswalk.

Lisa is committed to putting more economic development tools in the Washington toolbox. She was the prime sponsor of the Rainy Day fund constitutional amendment, the Life Sciences Development Fund, the Strategic Economic Development Fund, and the Local Increment Financing Tool.

During Lisa’s tenure as Senate Majority Leader, legislative logjams lasting for decades have been broken, resulting in the passage of several pieces of landmark legislation, including the simple majority for schools constitutional amendment, mental health parity, and prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation. She has received numerous honors and awards, and is serving her fourth term in the Senate.

HONORS AND AWARDS

2010
Champion for Children, Children’s Alliance
Gold Crayon Award, Early Learning Action Alliance

2008
Maternal & Child Health Award, March of Dimes
Social Justice Award, SEIU 775
Louise Miller Arts Advocacy Award, Washington State Arts Alliance

2007
Bob Olsen Memorial Conservation Eagle Award, Northwest Energy Coalition

2006
Cynthia Gillespie Award, Northwest Women's Law Center
Champion of Youth, Chase Youth Commission
Outstanding Legislator, Children’s Alliance

2005
Legislator of the Year, Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs

2003
Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities Award, Washington State YMCA
Liberty Bell Award, Equal Justice Coalition

2001

Housing Hero, Washington Low Income Housing Congress
Annual Golden Phone Award, Community Voice Mail Federation

2000
Woman of Distinction, Girl Scouts, Inland Empire Council

1998
Child Care Champion, Child Care Works of Washington

1997
Elected Official of the Year, Citizen’s League of Spokane
Woman of Achievement, YWCA of Spokane

1994
Delegate to Uruguay and Argentina, American Council of Young Political Leaders

1986
Inquiring Mind Scholar, Washington State Commission for the Humanities

1983
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Community Service, Eastern Washington University