Title Info: Women in the Washington State Legislature, Oral History Project, 1980-1981

Between 1980 and 1981, Elected Washington Women sponsored a series of interviews, conducted by Kathryn Hinsch, with women who served in the Washington State Legislature. The resulting oral histories include audio tapes, transcriptions, and, in some cases, images meant to examine the lives of women in the legislature. While the interviews were conducted from 1980 to 1981, transcriptions were created in 1987 by staff of the Legislative Oral History Project.

The interviews follow a tightly scripted pattern and all of the women were asked similar questions. Each interview begins with a brief sketch of the woman’s family background and education. The women were asked about what brought them into their involvement with politics, contacts with the political parties, and their experiences campaigning and fundraising. Questions about choosing committees, relationships with legislative leadership and lobbyists predominate over legislative accomplishments and bill sponsorship. Some personal political philosophy is discussed, as well as the impact of serving on family and career.

Elected Washington Women was founded in 1979 for the purpose of encouraging women to serve in public office, and acted as a network of support for elected women. The oral history project evolved to include a traveling exhibit and slide-tape presentation, titled “A Legacy,” funded by the Washington Commission for the Humanities.