Senator Janet Howell | www.janethowell.com

Janet Howell is a wife, mother, grandmother and community leader for over thirty years, and a native of Northern Virginia. She has proudly represented the residents of the 32nd Senate District for 16 years.

Janet has used her position in the Senate to benefit the residents of Northern Virginia. She is the first and only woman ever to serve on the prestigious Senate Finance Committee. In this capacity, she has focused on education, transportation, human services and public safety.

Janet is also the first woman and second non-lawyer to serve on the Committee for Courts of Justice. A recognized expert on family violence prevention and crimes against women and children, Janet has leveraged her position on this committee to champion legislation to protect women and children, including Megan's Law, creation of a sex offender registry, and anti-stalking legislation. Janet chaired the Commission on Family Violence Prevention which totally revamped and updated Virginia's approach to domestic violence. She currently serves on the Virginia Crime Commission and chairs its Family Violence Subcommittee. Janet also serves on the Senate Education and Health Committee.

Janet was a community leader for more than 15 years prior to her election to the Senate. As a former PTA president and head of the Reston Council of PTAs, Janet worked hard to increase the quality of local schools and Virginia's fine colleges and universities. She was president of the Reston Community Association for three years, expanding the association's activities and accomplishments in land use, transportation and healthcare. She served five years on the State Board of Social Services, including a term as its chairman.

Janet has received numerous awards for her community service. In 2006, she was named National Child Advocate of the Year by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Senator of the Year by Virginia Sheriffs Association, Distinguished Leadership Awardee by the Coalition for Mentally Disabled Citizens, Legislative Champion by the League of Conservation Voters, and Legislator of the Year by the Alzheimer's Association.

Called the "Technology Senator" because of her work in that area, Janet was presented the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Northern Virginia Technology Council. She serves on the Joint Commission on Technology and Science.

Janet and Hunt Howell have been married since 1966 and have two sons, Eric and Brian. A native Northern Virginian, Janet has lived in our community for the last 32 years. She has a B.A. from Oberlin College and an M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

See a list of Janet's Senate Committees and Commissions