Elizabeth Warren, a prominent Democratic senator from Massachusetts, is known for her progressive stance on consumer protection, economic equality, and social safety nets. Before her political career, she excelled as a law professor. In 2020, she launched a notable but ultimately unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, finishing third.
Donald Jones Herring, Elizabeth Warren's father, was born in 1911.
In 1912, the Bread and Roses strike took place, later to become the location where Elizabeth Warren launched her presidential campaign.
Pauline Louise Reed, Elizabeth Warren's mother, was born in 1912.
The original Glass-Steagall Act was enacted in 1933 as a response to the Great Depression, aiming to separate commercial and investment banking activities. This act served as the basis for the 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act that Elizabeth Warren reintroduced in July 2015.
Elizabeth Ann Herring, later known as Elizabeth Warren, was born in Oklahoma City on June 22, 1949.
Elizabeth Warren married James Robert "Jim" Warren, whom she met in high school, and moved to Houston in 1968.
After obtaining her degree in speech pathology and audiology, Elizabeth Warren spent a year teaching children with disabilities in a public school in 1970.
Elizabeth Warren graduated from the University of Houston in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology and audiology.
Elizabeth Warren received her Juris Doctor degree and passed the bar examination in 1976.
Elizabeth Warren stated that she voted for Gerald Ford in the 1976 presidential election.
Elizabeth Warren started her academic journey as a lecturer at Rutgers University, Newark School of Law, in 1977.
In 1978, Elizabeth Warren and her first husband divorced.
In 1978, Elizabeth Warren transitioned to the University of Houston Law Center, marking a significant step in her academic career.
Two years after her divorce, Elizabeth Warren married law professor Bruce H. Mann on July 12, 1980. She kept her first husband's surname.
Elizabeth Warren's dedication and expertise led to her appointment as an associate dean at the University of Houston Law Center in 1980.
In 1980, Elizabeth Warren published an article in the Notre Dame Law Review arguing for deregulation of public utilities and automatic rate increases.
Elizabeth Warren's contributions to legal scholarship earned her tenure at the University of Houston Law Center in 1981.
Elizabeth Warren joined the University of Texas School of Law as a full professor in 1983.
In 1984, Elizabeth Warren contributed recipes to a Native American cookbook, identifying herself as Cherokee.
Elizabeth Warren's expertise in law led her to a visiting professorship at the University of Michigan in 1985.
In 1986, Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King Jr., penned a letter voicing strong opposition to Jeff Sessions's nomination for a federal judgeship, citing concerns about his civil rights record.
The Washington Post reported that in 1986, Elizabeth Warren identified her race as "American Indian" on a State Bar of Texas form used for statistical purposes.
Elizabeth Warren's time as a professor at the University of Texas School of Law, from 1983 to 1987, was marked by her dedication to legal scholarship.
In 1987, Elizabeth Warren took on the role of a full professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Elizabeth Warren, along with Teresa A. Sullivan and Jay Westbrook, published "As We Forgive Our Debtors" in 1989, based on their research into bankruptcy.
Elizabeth Warren's contributions to legal scholarship were recognized with an endowed chair at the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1990.
Elizabeth Warren was registered as a Republican from 1991 to 1996.
Elizabeth Warren's expertise in commercial law led her to teach at Harvard Law School as the Robert Braucher Visiting Professor in 1992.
In 1995, Elizabeth Warren joined Harvard Law School as the Leo Gottlieb Professor of Law.
In 1995, Elizabeth Warren served as an advisor to the National Bankruptcy Review Commission, contributing her expertise to the complex issue of bankruptcy law.
Pauline Louise (Reed) Herring, Elizabeth Warren's mother, passed away in 1995.
From 1995 to 2004, Harvard Law School, Warren's employer, included her as a Native American in their federal affirmative action forms, though Warren stated she was unaware of this.
Elizabeth Warren's involvement in public policy began in 1995 when she worked to oppose legislation that aimed to restrict bankruptcy access for individuals.
Elizabeth Warren began voting Democratic in 1995, citing her belief that the Republican party was no longer best supporting the interests of the market.
Elizabeth Warren ended her registration as a Republican in 1996.
In 1996, Elizabeth Warren became the highest-paid professor at Harvard University who was not an administrator, reflecting her stature in the field.
Donald Jones Herring, Elizabeth Warren's father, passed away in 1997.
In a 2004 article in the Washington University Law Review, Elizabeth Warren argued against blaming middle-class struggles on over-consumption.
In 2004, Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Tyagi released their co-authored book, "The Two-Income Trap." The book highlights the struggles of middle-class families in maintaining financial stability despite two incomes, attributing it to rising costs of housing, healthcare, and childcare, coupled with stagnant wages.
From 1995 to 2004, Harvard Law School, Warren's employer, included her as a Native American in their federal affirmative action forms, though Warren stated she was unaware of this.
Elizabeth Warren's public profile started to grow in 2004, marked by an appearance on the Dr. Phil show and the publication of her book "The Two-Income Trap."
Despite Elizabeth Warren's efforts, along with others, Congress passed legislation in 2005 that made it harder for consumers to file for bankruptcy.
From 2005 to 2009, Elizabeth Warren's expertise in bankruptcy and commercial law placed her among the top three most-cited scholars in those fields.
In 2005, Elizabeth Warren and David Himmelstein published a study that linked a significant number of bankruptcies to medical expenses. The study suggested that even insured families were vulnerable to financial hardship due to medical costs. However, the study's methodology and conclusions faced challenges and alternative interpretations regarding the direct attribution of medical expenses to bankruptcy filings.
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, which Elizabeth Warren opposed, was passed in 2005, limiting consumers' ability to file for bankruptcy.
From 2006 to 2010, Elizabeth Warren served as a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion.
During the financial crisis of 2007–2008, Elizabeth Warren's national profile grew as she advocated for stricter banking regulations.
On November 14, 2008, Elizabeth Warren was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to chair the Congressional Oversight Panel responsible for overseeing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act's implementation.
In 2008, a significant financial crisis struck the United States. This event would later be cited by Elizabeth Warren in July 2015 as she advocated for the reinstatement of the Glass-Steagall Act, aiming to prevent similar crises in the future.
Following the 2008 financial crisis, Elizabeth Warren's focus on economic populism resonated with a wider audience, leading to a greater embrace of her ideas within the Democratic Party.
During the financial crisis of 2007–2008, Elizabeth Warren's national profile grew as she advocated for stricter banking regulations.
Elizabeth Warren received significant recognition for her work in 2009, including being named Bostonian of the Year and receiving the Lelia J. Robinson Award from the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts.
From 2005 to 2009, Elizabeth Warren's expertise in bankruptcy and commercial law placed her among the top three most-cited scholars in those fields.
President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which included the establishment of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), into law in July 2010.
In September 2010, Elizabeth Warren was appointed as Assistant to the President and Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the CFPB by President Obama, tasked with setting up the new agency.
In 2010, Elizabeth Warren was recognized for her impact on the legal profession, being named one of the 40 most influential attorneys of the decade by the National Law Journal.
In 2010, Elizabeth Warren concluded her service as a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion.
Republican Scott Brown won the U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts in a 2010 special election following the death of Ted Kennedy.
On September 14, 2011, Elizabeth Warren announced her intention to run for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in the 2012 election in Massachusetts.
As of 2011, Elizabeth Warren held the distinction of being the only tenured law professor at Harvard who had attended law school at a public university in the United States.
In 2011, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was established, spurred by Elizabeth Warren's scholarship and advocacy work.
Elizabeth Warren received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Rutgers Law School and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2011.
In January 2012, Elizabeth Warren was recognized as one of the leading progressive figures in the United States by New Statesman magazine.
In January 2012, President Obama appointed Richard Cordray as the Director of the CFPB, despite calls for Warren's nomination, due to anticipated opposition from Republicans.
Elizabeth Warren won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts on June 2, 2012, at the state Democratic convention with a record 95.77% of the delegate votes.
On September 5, 2012, Elizabeth Warren delivered a prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention, where she positioned herself as a champion for the struggling middle class.
Elizabeth Warren defeated Scott Brown on November 6, 2012, becoming the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts.
The November 2012 elections resulted in a record number of women serving in the U.S. Senate at that time, with 20 female senators.
Elizabeth Warren was assigned to the Senate Banking Committee in December 2012.
Elizabeth Warren was recognized for her progressive stance when the British magazine New Statesman included her in its list of the "top 20 U.S. progressives" in 2012.
Elizabeth Warren ran for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Massachusetts in 2012.
Elizabeth Warren became the first female U.S. senator from Massachusetts after defeating incumbent Republican Scott Brown in 2012.
During the 2012 Senate race, Scott Brown, Warren's opponent, accused her of falsely claiming Native American ancestry for professional gain.
During her 2012 Senate campaign, Elizabeth Warren served as a mentor to several individuals who would later hold significant political offices, including Michelle Wu, future mayor of Boston.
During a 2012 election campaign speech, President Obama echoed sentiments expressed by Elizabeth Warren regarding the role of societal contributions to individual wealth.
Elizabeth Warren stated that her Native American heritage had been a part of her story since birth.
Elizabeth Warren was sworn into the U.S. Senate by Vice President Joe Biden on January 3, 2013.
During her first Senate Banking Committee hearing in February 2013, Elizabeth Warren questioned banking regulators on the lack of legal action against Wall Street banks.
In May 2013, Elizabeth Warren showed her concern for student loan debt by sending letters to financial institutions and introducing the Bank on Student Loans Fairness Act. This act aimed to allow students to borrow loans at lower interest rates, similar to those given to banks.
In October 2013, Elizabeth Warren joined other female Democratic senators in signing a letter urging Hillary Clinton to run for president in the upcoming election.
In 2013, Elizabeth Warren began serving as the senior United States senator from Massachusetts.
In 2013, Michelle Wu, who had worked on Elizabeth Warren's 2012 Senate campaign, won a seat on the Boston City Council, marking the start of her own successful political career.
April 2014 marked the release of Elizabeth Warren's book, "A Fighting Chance." The book centers around the fading opportunity for the American dream, particularly for middle-class families, despite their hard work and adherence to societal expectations.
Starting in December 2014, Elizabeth Warren began discreetly lobbying Hillary Clinton to pledge not to appoint individuals with close ties to Wall Street to her potential administration, a concern stemming from the appointments made by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
In 2014, following the election cycle, Elizabeth Warren emerged as a prominent figure within the Democratic party by becoming a top fundraiser and subsequently being appointed as the first ever Strategic Adviser of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
Driven by her belief that "the biggest banks continue to threaten our economy", Elizabeth Warren, alongside Senators John McCain, Maria Cantwell, and Angus King, reintroduced the 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act in July 2015. The legislation sought to minimize taxpayer risk and the potential for future financial crises.
In 2015, Elizabeth Warren publicly criticized President Obama's Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, citing concerns over its dispute resolution mechanism and labor protections for American Workers.
Elizabeth Warren's influence continued to be recognized in 2015 when she was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.
After months of speculation and following the California Democratic primary, Elizabeth Warren formally endorsed Hillary Clinton for president on June 9, 2016.
During a Senate hearing on September 20, 2016, Elizabeth Warren sharply criticized Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf for the bank's unauthorized account opening scandal, demanding his resignation and a criminal investigation.
In December 2016, Elizabeth Warren's political influence grew further with her appointment to the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, a move that fueled speculation about her presidential aspirations.
Following her appointment as Strategic Adviser in 2014, speculation mounted in 2016 that Elizabeth Warren might enter the presidential race.
In 2016, despite initially focusing on her own presidential aspirations, Elizabeth Warren discreetly sought to influence Hillary Clinton's potential staffing choices for a presidential administration.
Russia interfered in the 2016 US election.
In 2016, after Donald Trump's election win, Elizabeth Warren became a prominent voice within the Democratic Party, which was seeking direction after losing both the presidency and control of Congress.
Elizabeth Warren announced her decision to run for a second term as a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts on January 6, 2017.
In January 2017, the Senate first read the Presidential Conflicts of Interest Act, authored by Elizabeth Warren, who had been critical of Trump's potential conflicts of interest.
During the February 2017 confirmation hearings for Jeff Sessions as attorney general, Elizabeth Warren was controversially silenced by Senate Republicans for reading a letter from Coretta Scott King that criticized Sessions's record on civil rights.
In April 2017, Elizabeth Warren published her 11th book, "This Fight Is Our Fight." The book emphasizes the struggles faced by the American middle class and advocates for increased government support through social programs and investments in education to alleviate their plight.
During a Senate Banking Committee hearing on October 3, 2017, Elizabeth Warren continued her criticism of Wells Fargo, this time calling for the resignation of CEO Timothy J. Sloan over his handling of the bank's ongoing accounts scandal.
Elizabeth Warren's continued impact on policy and politics was recognized in 2017 when she was again named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump mocked Warren's claims of Native American ancestry. At a July 2018 rally, Trump pledged to donate $1 million to Warren's chosen charity if a DNA test proved her Native American heritage.
During a town hall meeting on September 29, 2018, Elizabeth Warren signaled her potential interest in running for president in the 2020 election.
In response to Trump's challenge, Elizabeth Warren released the results of a DNA test in October 2018, which indicated a distant Native American ancestor but sparked debate among geneticists about the interpretation and significance of the findings.
Solidifying her interest in the 2020 presidential election, Elizabeth Warren officially announced the formation of an exploratory committee on December 31, 2018.
The United States celebrated Women's History Month in 2018 with the theme "Nevertheless, She Persisted," a tribute to Elizabeth Warren's resilience in the face of adversity.
In 2018, The Boston Globe conducted an investigation into Elizabeth Warren's claims of Native American heritage, concluding that they played no role in her career advancement in academia.
Elizabeth Warren was re-elected to the Senate by a significant margin in 2018, defeating Republican nominee Geoff Diehl.
As a critic of Trump's immigration policies, Elizabeth Warren called for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2018.
Elizabeth Warren won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2018, defeating Republican nominee Geoff Diehl.
In January 2019, Elizabeth Warren made a significant campaign finance decision by refusing to accept donations from political action committees (PACs).
In January 2019, Elizabeth Warren responded to questions about her decision to take a DNA test amidst criticism from Donald Trump, clarifying her understanding of tribal citizenship and ancestry.
While agreeing that U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Syria and Afghanistan, Elizabeth Warren criticized Trump's decision in January 2019 to do so, arguing for a "coordinated" plan developed with U.S. allies.
On February 9, 2019, Elizabeth Warren announced her candidacy for the 2020 United States presidential election.
Elizabeth Warren issued an apology in February 2019 for identifying as Native American.
Elizabeth Warren received a standing ovation during a surprise appearance at a Native American conference in February 2019 and was introduced by Representative Deb Haaland.
Following the release of the Mueller report, Elizabeth Warren called on the House of Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Trump in April 2019, alleging that he welcomed Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Throughout June 2019, Elizabeth Warren experienced a surge in popularity as a presidential candidate, consistently placing second in several polls.
In July 2019, Representative Deb Haaland endorsed Elizabeth Warren for president, praising her commitment to Indian Country.
On July 17, 2019, Elizabeth Warren teamed up with Representative Al Lawson to introduce the College Student Hunger Act. This legislation was designed to address food insecurity among college students by expanding their eligibility for SNAP benefits.
In August 2019, Elizabeth Warren publicly apologized again for her use of a DNA test to claim Native American ancestry at a Native American forum in Iowa.
By September 2019, Elizabeth Warren had attended 128 town halls, often staying afterward to interact with attendees. She gained recognition for her numerous selfies with supporters, including at a rally in New York City's Washington Square Park where she drew over 20,000 people.
In October 2019, Elizabeth Warren implemented further restrictions on campaign contributions, rejecting donations exceeding $200 from executives in sectors like finance, tech, and energy, signaling a commitment to campaign finance reform.
In 2019, accounts from Warren's past, including those of a high school friend and former colleagues, revealed her conservative political leanings earlier in life.
According to Forbes Magazine, Elizabeth Warren's net worth as of 2019 was $12 million.
By the third quarter of 2019, Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign had garnered significant financial support, raising $24.6 million, demonstrating her strong fundraising appeal among supporters.
In February 2020, after failing to convince her fellow Democratic presidential candidates to disavow Super PACs, Warren began accepting their support.
After Super Tuesday, Elizabeth Warren withdrew from the 2020 presidential race on March 5, 2020.
On April 23, 2020, Elizabeth Warren announced the death of her eldest brother, Don Reed Herring, from COVID-19 two days prior.
On August 11, 2020, Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, officially announced Kamala Harris as his running mate.
Following the 2020 election, Elizabeth Warren's name was put forward as a potential candidate for Secretary of the Treasury in the incoming Biden Administration, highlighting her expertise in economic policy.
In 2020, Elizabeth Warren considered running for president, as she hinted at in a town hall meeting in 2018 and solidified by forming an exploratory committee later that year.
Following Elizabeth Warren's appointment to the Senate Armed Services Committee in December 2016, speculation increased that she might run for president in 2020.
Elizabeth Warren was a candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, ultimately finishing third.
By February 2021, it became evident that the Biden administration was more open to Elizabeth Warren's policy proposals compared to the Obama administration, demonstrating the Democratic Party's shift toward her political philosophy.
By March 2021, observers recognized Elizabeth Warren's influence on President Biden's personnel decisions, with several of her former aides and allies securing positions in his administration.
Elizabeth Warren announced the death of her brother, John Herring, from cancer, on October 1, 2021.
Following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Elizabeth Warren strongly condemned the event as an attempted coup and called for then-President Trump's immediate removal from office.
Following the Supreme Court's June 24, 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Elizabeth Warren wrote an op-ed in The New York Times urging President Biden to release resources and grant authority to states and the federal government to address the anticipated surge in demand for reproductive health services.
Joshua Green's 2024 book, "The Rebels," examines Elizabeth Warren's substantial contribution to the Democratic Party's shift toward more progressive policies following the Great Recession.