Eileen Filler-Corn made history as the first woman and first Jewish Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (2020-2022), representing the 41st District for 14 years. A lifelong advocate for the Jewish community, she has led efforts to combat antisemitism, secure funding for Jewish institutions, and expand Holocaust education.
As a legislator and Speaker of the House, she championed causes important to the Jewish community, including enshrining the IHRA working definition of antisemitism as a training and education tool, overcoming initial resistance within her caucus to secure broad support. She also co-patroned legislation condemning the BDS movement and reaffirming Virginia’s support for Israel. Under her leadership, Virginia expanded security funding for synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers, strengthened hate crime prevention, and established Jewish American Heritage Month.
Her fight against antisemitism and extremism has been deeply personal. In 2021, federal authorities revealed a white nationalist plot to assassinate her due to her outspoken advocacy for Israel and Jewish causes. Rather than be silenced, she doubled down, working closely with law enforcement, Jewish organizations, and community leaders to combat hate and protect vulnerable communities.
Beyond public office, Eileen has been a dedicated Jewish leader. She currently serves on the board of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington, the Northern Virginia Task Force (Makom), and the Jewish Electorate Institute (JEI). In recent years, she served on the boards of the Virginia Israel Advisory Board (VIAB), Makom (formerly the Jewish Foundation of Group Homes), and the Congregation Adat Reyim Preschool Board in Springfield, Virginia.
Prior to her historic speakership, she served as Minority Leader, Caucus Vice Chair, and House Democratic Whip and held key roles in the Kaine and Warner administrations. A graduate of American University’s Washington College of Law, she began her career in the Attorney General’s Honors Program at the U.S. Department of Justice. She lives in Springfield with her husband.
