Barbara Sue Boxer (born Barbara Levy on November 11, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York) is a retired American politician who served as a United States Senator from California from 1993 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 6th congressional district from 1983 to 1993. Boxer graduated from Brooklyn College with a B.A. in economics in 1962 and married Stewart Boxer that same year. Before entering politics, she faced gender discrimination as one of the few women stockbrokers on Wall Street, then relocated to California in the late 1960s where she worked as a journalist for the Pacific Sun newspaper and as an aide to U.S. Representative John L. Burton. She later served six years on the Marin County Board of Supervisors, entering politics amid the social upheavals of the 1960s that inspired her liberal activism.

During her congressional tenure, Boxer focused on environmental protection, women's rights, and arms control. In the Senate, she chaired the Environment and Public Works Committee and was a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, where she was a prominent advocate for Israel aid and defense cooperation. Known for her outspoken style, Boxer led efforts on issues like sexual harassment, opposition to the Iraq War, and support for marriage equality, earning a reputation as a powerful voice for progressive causes. After retiring from the Senate in 2017, she worked as a lobbyist and board member for various organizations. Of Jewish heritage, Boxer's career reflects a commitment to social justice, though she faced criticism for her strong pro-Israel stance amid broader Democratic shifts.