Barbara Mikulski

Barbara Ann Mikulski (born July 20, 1936), a member of the Democratic Party, is the current Class 3 United States Senator representing the State of Maryland. She has served as senator since 1987, and is currently the most senior female U.S. Senator.

Early life and activism

Born as the great-granddaughter of Polish immigrants who owned a local bakery, Barbara is the oldest of three daughters of Christine and William Mikulski. She was born and raised in historic and ethnically diverse East Baltimore, Maryland. During her high school years, she worked in her parents' grocery store, delivering groceries to seniors in her neighborhood who were unable to leave their homes.

Related Topics:
Polish - Immigrant - Bakery - Baltimore, Maryland - Grocery store

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After graduating from Mount St. Agnes College (now a part of the Loyola College in Maryland) and the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in social work, Mikulski went to work on the front lines in President John F. Kennedy?s war against poverty. She worked for Catholic charities and Baltimore's Department of Social Services, helping at-risk children and educating seniors about the Medicare program. Social work evolved into community activism when Mikulski heard about plans to build a 16 lane highway through Baltimore's Fells Point neighborhood. She helped organize communities on both sides of the city and stopped the construction of the road, saving Fells Point and Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Related Topics:
Loyola College in Maryland - University of Maryland, College Park - President - John F. Kennedy - Catholic - Medicare - Activism - Fells Point - Baltimore's Inner Harbor

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