WHC Biographical Profile

Rosa Franklin

Senator Rosa Franklin is currently President Pro Tempore and served as Washington State Representative in Pierce County's 29th district from 1991 to 1993. Ms. Franklin graduated from the University of Puget Sound and received her MS (Masters in Social Science and Human Relations) from Pacific Lutheran University in 1974. Ms. Franklin was the first African-American female elected to the Washington State Senate.

Community Service

• Bates Technical College, advisory board.
• Cancer Screening Program for Targeted populations, advisory committee.
• Cascade Regional Blood Services, board member.
• Pierce County AIDS Walk.
• South End Neighborhood for Family Safety.
• Board of Directors—Sound Health, 1970s.
• Charles Daw Sickle Cell Board, 1970s.
• Chair, minority Health Committee, 1970s.

Past and Present Affiliations

• AHEC Board, Western Region
• NAACP
• Pierce County League of Women Voters’ Speakers Bureau
• Safe Streets
• Tacoma Urban League

Awards

Legislator of the Year, Washington State Labor Council, 2004;Inducted into the Washington State Nurses Association Hall of Fame, 2002; Stafford Study Club; Outstanding Volunteer, Pierce County Government; Honorary Citizen, Citizen of Tacoma; Washington Assn. of Community College Women's Programs; Pierce County Nurses Association; Democratic Woman of the Year, Washington State Federation of Democratic Women; Thurgood Marshall Award, African Americans Port of Tacoma; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for Western Regions, Regional Directors Distinguished Public Service Award; Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award, 2001, Washington Women's Political Caucus; Lifetime Achievement, Washington State Democratic Party, 2000; Girl Scouts of America, Pacific Peak, 1999 Woman of Distinction; Outstanding Non-Veteran, 1995; Ever Active Tribute to Excellence Award, 1995. Honorary Firefighters Awards-Local 31, Tacoma-2005; Benedict Good Samaritan Waverley Nurses, Mary L. Little Award; Outstanding Contribution to the Profession of Nursing and as an Advocate for Social Justice, August 2005; Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Award 2003; American Cancer Society recognition Award for demonstrated Commitment to fight Cancer.

Legislative & State Service

• First African-American female elected to the Washington State Senate
• Joint Select Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs
• Appointed January 25, 1993 to serve unexpired term for Senator A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen, elected to this position on November 3, 1993
• 1991 Committees: Housing, vice-chair; Commerce and Labor; Health Care; Local Government
• 1993 Committees: Health and Human Services; Natural Resources; Rules
• 1995 Committees: Human Services and Corrections, vice-chair; Health and Long-Term Care; Labor, Commerce, and Trade; Rules
• 1997 Committees: Commerce and Labor;
• 1999 Committees: Labor and Workforce Development, vice-chair; Health and Long-Term Care; Human Services and Corrections; Rules
• 2001 Committees: Health and Long-Term Care, vice-chair; Rules, vice-chair; Human Services and Corrections; Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions
• 2003 Committees: Commerce & Trade; Health & Long-Term Care; Rules
• 2007 Committees: Health & Long-Term Care; Rules, Financial Institutions and Insurance; labor Commerce Research and Development.

Leadership, Positions & Appointments

• President ProTempore, 2007
• Democratic Assistant Floor Leader, 2003
• President Pro Tempore, 2001
• Majority Whip, 1999
• Democratic Whip, 1997
• Vice President Pro Tempore, 1995
• Democratic precinct committeewoman for the 29th district, 1972-Present
• Ran for Tacoma City Council in 1973 and lost
• Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976, 1988 (Three-time National Delegate)
• Pierce County Democrats, vice-chair
• Pierce County Planning Commission, 8 years
• Tacoma Citizzen Budget Review Committee