Karen Lorraine Jacqueline 'Jackie' Speier (born 1950) is an American attorney and Democratic politician who served as the U.S. Representative for California's 14th congressional district from 2008 to 2023, representing much of the San Francisco Peninsula. Her political career was profoundly shaped by her early experience as a legislative aide to Congressman Leo Ryan, whom she succeeded in spirit after surviving the 1978 Jonestown massacre in Guyana, where Ryan was assassinated. Speier returned to the U.S. injured and testified before Congress about the events, launching her lifelong commitment to human rights, democracy, and preventing cult abuses. Before entering Congress, she served in the California State Assembly from 1987 to 1998 and as San Mateo County Supervisor from 1999 to 2006. She also worked as chief of staff to Congressman Tom Lantos, another mentor focused on human rights. Speier's congressional tenure emphasized issues like gun violence prevention, consumer protection, military sexual assault reform, and national security. She co-chaired the Congressional Women's Caucus and was a vocal advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and environmental protection. Notable legislative achievements include the SPEIER Act for military family support and efforts to ban stock trading by members of Congress. After retiring from Congress in 2023, Speier joined the Center for American Progress as a senior fellow, continuing her work on democracy and governance. Her career reflects a blend of personal resilience from the Jonestown tragedy and a dedication to public service, earning her recognition as a trailblazing female leader in California politics.