Lauren Underwood
Lauren Ashley Underwood (born October 4, 1986) is an American politician and registered nurse who is a U.S. representative from Illinois's 14th congressional district as a member of the Democratic Party. Her district, once represented by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, includes the outer western suburbs of Chicago, including Crystal Lake, Geneva, Oswego, Woodstock, and Yorkville.
Lauren Underwood | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2018 | |
| Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 Serving with Veronica Escobar, Lori Trahan | |
| Leader | Hakeem Jeffries |
| Preceded by | Debbie Dingell Matt Cartwright Ted Lieu |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 14th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Randy Hultgren |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lauren Ashley Underwood October 4, 1986 Mayfield Heights, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Michigan (BSN) Johns Hopkins University (MSN, MPH) |
| Signature | |
| Website | House website |
Underwood grew up in Naperville, Illinois. She graduated with a degree in nursing from the University of Michigan and two master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University. She began her career as a policy professional in the Obama administration in 2014, later working as a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
In 2018, Underwood was elected to the United States House of Representatives, defeating Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren. Upon her swearing in, she became the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress. In 2022, she was elected a co-chairs of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, making her the first black woman to have an elected Democratic leadership position since Shirley Chisholm in the 1970s.
A major focus for her in Congress has been on health care disparities, particularly as they relate to maternal health outcomes.