Washington’s First-Ever Women’s Caucus Holds Inaugural Meeting
January 21, 2026
OLYMPIA – On Wednesday, January 14th, the Washington State Women’s Caucus convened for the very first time, making history.
The Washington State Women’s Commission organized the meeting alongside caucus leads Senator Deb Krishnadasan (D – Gig Harbor) and Representative Stephanie Barnard (R – Pasco). The Women’s Caucus serves as a dedicated space for cross-chamber, bipartisan dialogue among the women shaping Washington’s future.
At the first meeting, caucus members outlined their goals for the work ahead: strengthening relationships between legislators to boost collaboration and aligning on priorities to better serve the women and girls of Washington.
“I didn’t think I needed the Washington Women’s Caucus until I attended my first meeting,” said Representative Stephanie Barnard. “Right away, I felt awash in support and unity. We may not agree politically, but the sense of empowerment was undeniable.”
“The first gathering of the Women’s Caucus was a strong start,” said Senator Deb Krishnadasan. “Despite our different perspectives and political ideologies, it quickly became clear that we share many common experiences as female legislators. Through our shared understanding, we are working to develop actionable ways to support women and girls.”
The caucus brings together all 66 women serving in the Washington State Legislature, including 45 representatives and 21 senators. As the seventh most gender-diverse legislature in the nation, Washington leads the country in representation, making the creation of a Women’s Caucus a particularly powerful step forward.
The Washington State Women’s Commission is proud to organize this historic effort and looks forward to the work ahead.
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON STATE WOMEN’S COMMISSION:
The Washington State Women’s Commission (WSWC) is an executive branch cabinet agency in the Office of Governor Bob Ferguson serving as a voice in government for Washington women and girls. Signed into law in 2018, WSWC aims to improve the well-being of women by identifying and developing policies to remove systemic barriers and address critical issues that disproportionately impact women.