Born in New London, Connecticut, on June 21, 1955; educated at St. Joseph College (B.S., 1977); New York University (M.P.A., 1980) ; Development Consultant In Higher Education;Health Policy Analyst; married Douglas Karl Weik; Episcopalian; Child and Family Network Center; YMCA; Ballston Science & Technology Alliance; Committee of 100; Co-Chair Project Peace Leadership Roundtable; Board of Visitors for the Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind; Vice Chair, Virginia Commission on Youth; Southern Democrat representative on the Executive Board of the Women's Legislative Network of NCSL; Senate Chair of Women's Reproductive Health Caucus; former Arlington County Board member and chair (1997-2011); Chair, Greater Washington Council of Governments Chesapeake Bay Committee ; Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award; Arlington Housing Corporation - Hall of Fame Award; Virginia Peters Nonprofit Friend of the Year Award from Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers; Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing 2013 Affordable Housing Honoree; Legislative Champion Award Virginia Education Association; Virginia League of Conservation Voters, 100% rating, NARAL Pro-Choice 100% rating; 2013 Women Legislators' Lobby (WiLL) Pacesetter Award ; Member of the Senate: 2012-