Born into a family that has lived the California dream, both old and new:
A fifth-generation Californian on her mother’s side, Carol Liu is also the daughter of a father who emigrated from China before World War II. Carol was born in Berkeley and raised in Oakland. She attended public schools and graduated from San Jose State College in 1963.
A successful career in public education:
Carol continued her education at the U.C. Berkeley School of Education where she earned both a lifetime teaching credential and a credential in education administration. She was a teacher in the Richmond, California, public schools from 1964 through 1978 -- teaching history at the Junior High level. She also worked as a school administrator from 1978-1984.
Meeting her husband and raising a family:
While serving as Executive Director of the Richmond Federation of Teachers (from 1975-1978) Carol met her future husband, Michael Peevey, at an AFL-CIO convention. They married soon after and, in 1984, moved to Southern California where Mike began a successful career with Southern California Edison.
After retiring from SCE, Mike went on to found several successful business ventures. In 2000 he was appointed to the California Public Utilities Commission by Gov. Gray Davis and later was named Chair of the Commission by Gov. Schwarzenegger. Mike’s term on the PUC will expire in 2008, before Carol would begin her term should she be elected to the State Senate.
Carol and Mike have three children and three grandchildren.
A lasting commitment to community service:
After relocating to southern California, Carol quickly emerged as a key community volunteer and civic leader. Initially she focused on education and other issues affecting children, including serving as a PTA President and as President of the Pasadena City College Foundation Board. But she soon became involved in a whole range of issues – from affordable housing to preservation of open space – that affected local quality of life. In 1992 Carol was elected to the La Cañada/Flintridge City Council. She served on the Council for eight years, including two very successful terms as Mayor.
A record of achievement in the State Assembly:
In 2000, Carol ran for State Assembly in the 44th District which, in addition to her own city, included Altadena, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Temple City and substantial parts of the City of Los Angeles. Although she started the campaign as an underdog, Carol won a hard-fought Democratic primary then easily carried the general election. A very popular Assemblywoman, she was re-elected twice more, winning each race with a larger margin than the one before.
For a detailed look at Carol's outstanding work in the Legislature, please click on "Assembly Record" to the left of this text.
Continued service after leaving the State Assembly
After being termed-out of her service in the State Assembly in 2006, Carol resumed her active schedule of teaching and community service. Here are some of her current activities:
· Member, Claremont University Consortium (CUC) Board of Overseers
· Member, The Women’s Foundation of California Board
· Member, Pasadena Education Foundation Board
· Member, Child Education Center, Community Advisory Board
· Member, UCLA School of Public Affairs Advisory Board
· Member, San Gabriel Habitat for Humanity Advisory Board
· Commissioner, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
· Member, Board of Directors, Children’s Museum of Los Angeles
· Instructor, UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy
· Chair, CORO Southern California Endowment Campaign
· Chair, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education Advisory Board
· Member, UC Berkeley Water Policy Programs Advisory Board
Running strong for the California State Senate
Carol's friend and mentor, State Senator Jack Scott will be termed out of office in 2008. Carol succeeded Jack in the State Assembly, and hopes voters will also choose her to follow him in the State Senate. She's working hard to talk to voters throughout the district about her ideas and goals for California's future.
