Lauren Underwood

Lauren Underwood
Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
LeaderHakeem Jeffries
Preceded byDebbie Dingell
Matt Cartwright
Ted Lieu
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 14th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byRandy Hultgren
Personal details
Born
Lauren Ashley Underwood

(1986-10-04) October 4, 1986 (age 37)
Mayfield Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BSN)
Johns Hopkins University (MSN, MPH)
Signature
WebsiteHouse website

Lauren Ashley Underwood (born October 4, 1986)[1] is an American politician and registered nurse who is a U.S. representative from Illinois's 14th congressional district as a member of the Democratic Party. Her district, once represented by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, includes the outer western suburbs of Chicago, including Crystal Lake, Geneva, Oswego, Woodstock, and Yorkville.

Underwood grew up in Naperville, Illinois. She graduated with a degree in nursing from the University of Michigan and two master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She began her career as a policy professional in the Obama administration in 2014, later working as a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

In 2018, Underwood was elected to the United States House of Representatives, defeating Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren. Upon her swearing in, she became the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress.[2] In 2022, she was elected a co-chairs of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, making her the first black woman to have an elected Democratic leadership position since Shirley Chisholm in the 1970s.[3]

A major focus for her in Congress has been on health care disparities, particularly as they relate to maternal health outcomes.[4]

  1. ^ "Lauren Underwood: Candidate for Congress, 14th District". WTTW. October 9, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  2. ^ O'Connell, Patrick M. "Democrat Lauren Underwood today becomes the youngest black woman ever in Congress as new class sworn in". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  3. ^ "Rep. Lauren Underwood elected to House Democratic leadership position". Chicago Sun-Times. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Lauren Underwood's Long Game". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved December 5, 2023.

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