A Senator from California, born on June 22, 1933, in San Francisco, she attended local public schools and graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School in 1951. She later graduated from Stanford University in 1955. Her early career included serving on the California Women's Board of Terms and Parole from 1960 to 1966 and as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1970 to 1978, during which time she held the position of president multiple times. She also served as the mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988 and directed the Bank of California for a brief period in the late 1980s.

In November 1992, she was elected to the United States Senate, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Pete Wilson. Throughout her tenure, she was reelected five times, serving until her death on September 29, 2023. She held several prominent positions, including chairing the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Select Committee on Intelligence in various Congresses.

During her legislative career, she sponsored and co-sponsored a number of significant bills, reflecting her commitment to a wide range of issues. Noteworthy among her sponsorships was the West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2023, which aimed to prohibit new oil and gas leases in the Outer Continental Shelf off California, Oregon, and Washington. This reflects her strong advocacy for environmental protection and sustainable energy policies.

Another important piece of legislation was the Community Wildfire Protection Act of 2023. This aimed to modify the definition of at-risk communities concerning wildfire hazards, expanding eligibility for communities to access federal assistance for fire prevention. This initiative demonstrates her focus on community safety and environmental resilience.

Her other legislative efforts included support for the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act, which aimed to provide funding for local and tribal governments to tackle homelessness through comprehensive services. In addition, she was involved in bills addressing gun violence prevention, such as the Frontline Workers Act and the Gun Violence Prevention Through Financial Intelligence Act, which indicate her commitment to ensuring public safety.

The committees she served on during her tenure included the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, among others. This affiliation with various committees reflects her approach to policymaking by engaging with multiple sectors affecting her constituents and the nation as a whole.

Socially progressive, she was known for her advocacy on healthcare, education, and civil rights issues. Her backing for bills like the Do No Harm Act and the Child Care for Working Families Act suggests a strong alignment with progressive values, emphasizing the need for equitable and accessible services for all Americans.

Professionally, she was deeply invested in California's public service and environmental initiatives, and her long tenure in the Senate was characterized by a focus on inclusivity and sustainability. Her family's commitment to public service and community engagement complemented her political endeavors throughout her life, underscoring a legacy of dedication to improving the lives of her constituents.