Born in New London 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; Created and Chaired Arlington Project Peace Roundtable for Community Response to Domestic Violence; Executive Board of the Women, Legislative Network of NCSL; Senate Chair of Women 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; Virginia Education Association Legislative ChampionAward; Virginia League of Conservation Voters, 100% rating, NARAL Pro-Choice 100% rating; Women Legislator; Lobby Pacesetter Award; Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement Award ; Member of the Senate: 2012-