A tireless advocate of children's and senior issues, Gwen served in the Legislature for two four-year terms. Due to term limits, she did not seek re-election but her daughter Sara continues the family tradition and now represents Midtown Omaha's District 9 in Nebraska's Unicameral Legislature.Senator Howard established a record of success building consensus across party lines. Her long list of legislative accomplishments belied her status as a Democrat in a Unicameral dominated by Republicans and convened under Republican governors. A sample of her hallmark legislation includes an early intervention program that funds parental training and services from visiting nurses for at-risk newborns, repeal of the sales tax on home repairs, anti-bullying legislation to make schools safer, consumer protections in the nursing home industry and expansion of property tax homestead exemptions for seniors and the disabled. In the Legislature, she served as vice-chair of the Education Committee and as a member of the Health and Human Services Committee. In 2014, she was elected to the Metropolitan Utilities District Board of Directors.