Patty was born and raised in Bothell, Washington where she grew up with her parents and six siblings—including a twin sister. Her father managed a Main Street 5 and 10 cent store, where she worked growing up and first learned the value of strong work ethic. When Patty was a young teenager, her father—a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient—was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and in a few short years, his illness got so bad he could no longer work. Patty’s mother, who had stayed home to raise their family, had to take care of him while also working to support their family. She found some work, but it didn’t pay enough to support Patty and her six brothers and sisters—and a husband with growing medical bills. Thankfully, they lived in a country where the government didn’t just say “you’re on your own.”
Senator Murray believes that working families are the backbone of our economy and that when they succeed, our businesses, communities, and economy succeeds. By investing in working families, she is helping build an economy that works for everyone—not just those at the top.
One of Senator Murray’s top priorities in the Senate is to address our nation’s child care crisis. She hears all the time from working parents across Washington state and the country about the challenges they face when it comes to finding quality, affordable child care—and for so many women, and in particular, women of color, it’s why they’ve been forced to quit their jobs, struggled to support their families, or struggled to grow their careers. Senator Murray is committed to doing everything she can to ensure families can find affordable care, child care providers can keep their doors open and earn a livable wage, and children can get an early education that can help them thrive.
Senator Murray has long fought to support families by guaranteeing paid sick, family, and medical leave. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how costly our lack of a national paid leave program and paid sick days policy was for workers, families, businesses, and our country. Senator Murray is working hard to make sure we’re no longer a country that forces workers to make the impossible decision between a paycheck and staying home to care for themselves or a sick family member.