Debbie Stabenow has built her political life on a series of firsts. In 1977 she became the first woman to chair the Ingham County Board of Commissioners after three years as the youngest person to serve on the board. She was the first woman to preside over the Michigan House of Representatives, where she served for 12 years. And, before becoming the first woman from Michigan to be elected to the U.S. Senate, she served four years as a Michigan Senator and two terms as a U.S. Representative. Her public service has been focused on being a voice in Lansing and in Washington for the issues affecting the everyday lives of families. She has promoted and helped pass legislation focused on domestic violence prevention and, reducing the cost of prescription drugs. She also has worked to preserve Social Security and Medicare. Stabenow has been honored with more than 60 awards for her leadership on behalf of families, small businesses and the environment. She is a member of the bipartisan Centrist Coalition, collaborating with moderate Democratic and Republican members committed to passing legislation in the narrowly divided U.S. Senate.