Barbara Lee.

• Author: Lewis, Andrea
• Position: THE PROGRESSIVE INTERVIEW - Interview - Cover story

"Barbara Lee speaks for me. "

That simple phrase--with plain white text on a black background--began appearing on Bay Area bumper stickers shortly after Congresswoman Barbara Lee cast a lone vote against President Bush and his desire to wage war without restraint in the fall of 2001. For progressives, especially those in Northern California, Lee was a singular, sane voice. Others with more conservative political views slammed Lee, some going as far as sending her death threats.

Barbara Lee is no longer a lone voice. A growing chorus on both sides of the Congressional aisle and many others around the country are now openly critical of the Bush Administration's policies. Not only did Lee persevere through those difficult times, she has expanded her role as one of the nation's most respected progressive politicians.

Barbara Lee was born into a military family in El Paso, Texas. She briefly received public assistance as a young single mother of two while attending Mills College in Oakland. It was there that she became involved with the Black Panther Party, volunteering at a local community center the party ran. When Panther co-founder Bobby Seale ran for mayor of Oakland in 1973, Lee helped out with the campaign.

Lee's political career is closely tied to that of Ron Dellums, the former Congressman who is currently mayor of Oakland. Lee started as an intern in Dellums's office, and eventually became his chief of staff. After serving in the California state assembly from 1990 to 1996, and the state senate from 1996 to 1998, she was first elected to the U.S. Congress in a special election in 1998 to fill Dellums's Congressional seat after his retirement.

As dissatisfaction with the Bush Administration and the Republican leadership has continued to grow, Lee's star within the Democratic Party has steadily risen. She joined the House Appropriations Committee (which controls the federal purse strings) earlier this year, and also serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee, the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. Lee is also a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, first vice-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and a senior Democratic whip.

In person, Barbara Lee is poised and confident, but she also radiates a surprisingly down-to-earth, unassuming air. She can generate applause simply by entering a public gathering, and is a major draw at local events focusing on...