Biography

GOVERNMENT:

Senator Suzanne Williams is starting her sixth year in the State Senate after serving eight years in the Colorado House of Representatives. Senator Williams is the only registered American Indian state legislator in Colorado. Currently, she serves as the Senate Majority Caucus Chair, Vice-Chair of the Business, Labor and Technology Committee, and the Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee.

Over the past 13 years, Senator Suzanne Williams has sponsored successful legislation concentrating in the areas of education, children and family issues, as well as transportation, safety and planning. From her first bill signed in 1987, an anti-graffiti bill, Senator Williams has continued to support constituents and to strengthen the childcare community by carrying many bills through the Early Childhood Commission. Her Child Care Professionals Loan Forgiveness Program was enacted in 2001, helping child care professionals to attend community college to gain more skills. In 2005 Senator Williams assured the safety of communities by passing her sex offender registry bill and restricting passengers for new teen drivers. Her close Native American ties have inspired legislation for Native American education in the public schools, stronger state compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act, and the American Indian Scholars license plate, which established scholarships for Colorado Native American to attend a college or university within the state.

PERSONAL:

Senator Williams has lived in her district for over 30 years. Senator Williams has been married for over 43 years, has two grown children and four grandchildren. Senator Williams earned her B.A. from Baylor University and her Masters in Special Education from the University of Colorado. She enjoys reading, travel and athletic club workouts and many outdoor activities.

CAREER:

Senator Williams worked for 22 years as a special education teacher in the Cherry Creek School District.

CIVIC:

Senator Williams has been a member of the following Boards: D.A.R.E. Colorado, United Cerebral Palsy Association, Colorado Medicaid Consortium, Colorado Special Education Advisory Board, I-225 Policy Advisory Board, Aurora Sister Cities President, Sungate Foundation Advisory Board, Co-chair of the Early Childcare and Education Commission and current member of the P-20 Council.

Her awards and accomplishments include:

2008

• School Psychologist Award
• The International Dyslexia Association
• American Heart Association & Children's Campaign

2007

• Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Woman of the Year
• Delta Gamma Leadership Award

• Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber Honoring Senator Suzanne Williams
• Community Colleges, Legislator of the Year
• "Ending Colonial Legacy" Honoring Women Warriors
• SUNGATE Foundation "Champion of Children" Award

• Delta Kappa Gamma Friend of Education
• Aurora Business and Professional Women-Sculptors of Aurora

• Denver Indian Chamber of Commerce
• Denver Indian Family Resource Center

• American Institute of Architects, Legislator of the Year
• Colorado Women's Lobby

• Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce
• Colorado Optometric Association
• Early Childhood Care and Education

• Hazel Petrocco Women's Leadership Award

• Colorado Association of School Nurses
• Colorado Society of School Psychologists
• Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children

• Colorado Mother of the Year

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