NOW's Third Annual Intrepid Awards Gala Honoree: Barbara Boxer

Honoree: Barbara Boxer

Barbara Boxer, United States Senator from California, has been a tireless advocate for women, children, and families over the course of her 22 years of public service. Always willing to speak out on critical issues, no matter how controversial, Senator Boxer demonstrated singular courage and leadership earlier this year when she took a principled stand for electoral justice and democracy by objecting to the certification of the State of Ohio's 2004 electoral votes. She characterized her stand as an "opening shot to be able to focus the light of truth on these terrible problems in the electoral system". This act of defiance became popularly known as "the Boxer Rebellion". As a grand gesture of appreciation for her efforts, activists and supporters sent Boxer 4,500 roses to her office this past Valentine's Day.

She began her distinguished career in the United States House of Representatives in 1982. After ten years of service, she won the seat in the US Senate that she still occupies. Although she considered retiring in 2004, Senator Boxer decided to run for re-election in order to "fight for the right to dissent" against conservatives in Congress. She won decisively, receiving more than 6.9 million votes, which was the third highest vote total in the country, surpassed only by the two presidential candidates.

Throughout her career, Senator Boxer has been a voice of common sense, compassion and reason in Congress. She has been an avid defender of a woman's right to choose, working diligently to thwart efforts by extremists in Congress to weaken this key Constitutional right. She authored the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Freedom of Choice Act of 2004, as well as working to ensure passage of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance Act.

Boxer's commitment to children and families is equally as strong. She has fought for federal funding for after-school programs for children, which now cover over 1.4 million children across the country. She authored a Patient's Bill of Rights in 1997 and still continues to advocate for affordable health care for everyone. She is also a tireless fighter against the privatization of Social Security. Currently, Senator Boxer serves on the Commerce, Science and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Foreign Relations Committees. She is the Senate Democratic Chief Deputy Whip and also serves on the Democratic Policy Committee's Committee on Oversight and Investigations. Senator Boxer has also recently announced that she is working on a novel, which will soon be published by Chronicle Books of San Francisco.

		NOW and the NOW FOUNDATION'S Third Annual

TICKETS, TABLES OR CONTRIBUTIONS HONOREES SPONSORS HOST COMMITTEES MENU SEND THIS PAGE		Honoree: Barbara Boxer Barbara Boxer, United States Senator from California, has been a tireless advocate for women, children, and families over the course of her 22 years of public service. Always willing to speak out on critical issues, no matter how controversial, Senator Boxer demonstrated singular courage and leadership earlier this year when she took a principled stand for electoral justice and democracy by objecting to the certification of the State of Ohio's 2004 electoral votes. She characterized her stand as an "opening shot to be able to focus the light of truth on these terrible problems in the electoral system". This act of defiance became popularly known as "the Boxer Rebellion". As a grand gesture of appreciation for her efforts, activists and supporters sent Boxer 4,500 roses to her office this past Valentine's Day. She began her distinguished career in the United States House of Representatives in 1982. After ten years of service, she won the seat in the US Senate that she still occupies. Although she considered retiring in 2004, Senator Boxer decided to run for re-election in order to "fight for the right to dissent" against conservatives in Congress. She won decisively, receiving more than 6.9 million votes, which was the third highest vote total in the country, surpassed only by the two presidential candidates. Throughout her career, Senator Boxer has been a voice of common sense, compassion and reason in Congress. She has been an avid defender of a woman's right to choose, working diligently to thwart efforts by extremists in Congress to weaken this key Constitutional right. She authored the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Freedom of Choice Act of 2004, as well as working to ensure passage of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrance Act. Boxer's commitment to children and families is equally as strong. She has fought for federal funding for after-school programs for children, which now cover over 1.4 million children across the country. She authored a Patient's Bill of Rights in 1997 and still continues to advocate for affordable health care for everyone. She is also a tireless fighter against the privatization of Social Security. Currently, Senator Boxer serves on the Commerce, Science and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Foreign Relations Committees. She is the Senate Democratic Chief Deputy Whip and also serves on the Democratic Policy Committee's Committee on Oversight and Investigations. Senator Boxer has also recently announced that she is working on a novel, which will soon be published by Chronicle Books of San Francisco.