Mikulski, Barbara (1936–)

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Mikulski, Barbara (1936–)

American politician. Born July 20, 1936, in Baltimore, MD; dau. of Christine and William Mikulski; Mount St. Agnes College, BA, 1958; University of Maryland School of Social Work, MA in social work, 1965.

Served on Baltimore City Council (1971–76); made unsuccessful bid for US Senate (1974); as a Democrat, elected to US House of Representatives (1977), followed by 4 succeeding Congresses (1977–87); elected to US Senate (1986), the 1st Democratic woman to hold a Senate seat not previously held by her husband; reelected (1992, 1998, 2004); elected secretary of the Democratic Conference for the 104th and 105th Congress (1994 and 1996), the 1st woman elected to a Democratic leadership position in the Senate; became a national leader on women's health care.