Claudia Balducci, Sarah Reyneveld, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Sarah Perry, and Teresa Mosqueda celebrate former King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles as the inaugural recipient of the Women Uplifting Women Award.
Kendall Rock Photography
Jeanne Kohl-Welles is one of Seattle’s greatest public servants.
Her time in office began when she was appointed as a State Representative in 1992 and concluded last year when she retired from her seat on King County Council. She served in both the Washington House and Senate, and was elected to the King County Council in 2016.
Kohl-Welles has been known as a tireless champion for Title IX, low-income housing, tenant’s rights, childcare subsidies, and women in politics.
During last month’s celebration of Women’s History Month, a tradition she introduced in her first year on the council, she was honored as the inaugural recipient of the council’s Women Uplifting Women Award.
Sarah Reyneveld is the acting chair of the King County Women’s Advisory Board and Managing Assistant Attorney General. As a woman who has personally been uplifted by Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Reyneveld said she was “honored to help present the Women Uplifting Women Award to Councilmember Kohl-Welles, King County’s own Badass Feminist Icon.”
Reyneveld was appointed to the Women’s Advisory Board by Kohl-Welles and commented on the many ways Kohl-Welles has shown up and delivered meaningful policy changes to deliver results for the women of King County. The themes of shrewd policy maker and helpful mentor have been constant throughout her career.
Some of her other awards include: Queen Anne Magnolia News Citizen of the Decade in 2002; Most Effective Democrat in the Washington State Senate in 2014; Legislator of the Year by The Humane Society of the United States, Progressive States Network, SEIU 775, AFT-WA, Washington Student Lobby; and Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Metropolitan Democratic Caucus in 2013 and Low Income Housing Alliance in 2015.
Kohl-Welles never let these awards go to her head but said, “Somewhere along the line, it occurred to me that this was my calling in life and it has been the greatest privilege to serve the many resilient, thoughtful, and engaged communities in District Four and 36th Legislative District. I cannot thank my constituents enough for their faith in me.”
District 2’s Councilmember Girmay Zahilay said, “Councilmember Kohl-Welles has been such an important champion for our region. Her productivity on the council is unmatched, passing critical legislation on tenant rights, gender-based violence, facial recognition technology and so much more.” Adding, “she is delightful, kind, funny, courageous, and smart as hell.”
At a party to toast her retirement, Port Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa called her mentor a “fearless, ferocious, kind, compassionate, wise, and knife-sharp champion from LD36 and D4, representing Seattle- the nation’s progressive hub.” She also noted, “Jeanne demonstrated from the top how to manage hard work with grace, confidence, and power.”
The program also included remarks from King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Sarah Perry. Teresa Mosqueda, one of the newest Councilmembers, moderated this year’s Women’s History Month panel centered on the women who power the economy. She commented on the wage gap and the even larger gap for Women Of Color. The panel included Ilona Lohrey, Sharmila Swenson, and Lalita Uppala. Shaunie Wheeler James, Deputy Executive Secretary-Treasurer, MLK Labor Council, was intended to be on the panel but was unable to attend.
“I am excited to be part of this conversation and this esteemed panel,” said Councilmember Mosqueda. Celebrating women across this county, our state, and the globe.”
She spoke of women being on the frontline in the pandemic- keeping our economy and our communities running, keeping our communities safe and cared for, keeping our kids and elders healthy. “The work that we do is rarely about ourselves. The work that women do it about our community, our family, improving the health of the general population, and creating a more equitable economy in the wake of the pandemic,” she said.
She then asked the panelists what had been helpful in building their resiliency and confidence throughout their careers.
Ilona Lohrey, President & CEO of the Greater Seattle Business Association, contributes her resiliency and confidence to her strong mother who often cautioned her to be more diplomatic.
“Fighting for rights can be lonely, so you must have a support system- friends, family, chosen family, mentors,” Lohrey said.
Sharmila Swenson is the Vice President of Public Affairs & Social Impact at Symetra. She describes women’s skills as superpowers and gave extreme gratitude for the women that came before her. “I expect to go into every room and learn a lot and I embrace that. That mindset has been extremely helpful to me,” she said.
Lalita Uppala, Executive Director & Community Program Director for Indian American Community Services, said, “Just bring your enthusiasm and authenticity.”
Watching her mother try to be the perfect woman showed her that women do not actually have to be perfect in the work that they do. She said, “Life is about authenticity and celebrating the small wins- I cherish those. I am one woman. I give gratitude to all the women who are behind.”
In keeping with the spirit of gratitude, Kohl-Welles closed the program by thanking the King County Council for continuing the tradition that she started in 2016 and said that it was thoughtful and humbling to be presented with the inaugural Women Uplifting Women Award that was named in her honor. “I loved the day and will cherish the sentiment. Thank you all!”