Jennifer Dunn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jennifer Dunn
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| Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference | |
| In office July 17, 1997 – January 3, 1999 |
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| Leader | Newt Gingrich |
| Preceded by | Susan Molinari |
| Succeeded by | Tillie Fowler |
| Secretary of the House Republican Conference | |
| In office January 3, 1997 – July 17, 1997 |
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| Leader | Newt Gingrich |
| Preceded by | Barbara Vucanovich |
| Succeeded by | Tillie Fowler |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 8th district |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Rod Chandler |
| Succeeded by | Dave Reichert |
| Chair of the Washington Republican Party | |
| In office January 1, 1981 – January 1, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Ken Eikenberry |
| Succeeded by | Ben Bettridge |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jennifer Jill Blackburn
July 29, 1941 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | September 5, 2007 (aged 66) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Dennis Dunn (1965–1977) Keith Thomson (2003–2007) |
| Children | 2, including Reagan |
| Education | University of Washington, Seattle Stanford University (BA) |
| Occupation | Engineer |
Jennifer Jill Dunn (born Blackburn; July 29, 1941 – September 5, 2007) was an American politician and engineer. She was a member of the Republican Party. She served six terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 2005. She represented the 8th district of Washington.
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Early Life and Education
Jennifer Dunn was born in Seattle, Washington. She grew up in Bellevue, a city nearby. She finished Bellevue High School in 1959.
She went to the University of Washington. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. After college, she worked as a systems engineer. This means she helped design and manage complex systems.
Political Career Highlights
Jennifer Dunn was very active in politics. From 1981 to 1992, she led the Washington State Republican Party. This made her a key leader for the Republican Party in Washington state.
She also served as a delegate twice. She went to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. This group works to promote gender equality around the world.
Joining the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1992, Jennifer Dunn ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. She won with 60 percent of the votes. She was the only Republican representative from Washington state for a while.
In 1994, many more Republicans were elected to the House. This event was called the "Republican Revolution." In 1998, she made history. She was the first woman to run for the position of House Majority Leader. This is a very important leadership role in the House.
Key Roles in Congress
While in Congress, Dunn held several important roles. She was the vice-chair of the Select Committee on Homeland Security. This committee works to protect the country.
She also served on the House Ways and Means Committee. This committee handles important issues like taxes and trade. She was also part of the Joint Economic Committee. This committee studies economic issues.
On October 10, 2002, Jennifer Dunn voted to allow the War in Iraq. In 2000, she helped George W. Bush when he was exploring a run for president.
After Congress
In 2004, Jennifer Dunn decided not to run for re-election. She retired from Congress. Dave Reichert took over her seat.
After leaving Congress, she continued to be involved in public life. She co-chaired the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. This group focuses on technology and new ideas. She also helped with the "Women for Mitt" campaign. This was for presidential candidate Mitt Romney before she passed away.
Personal Life
Jennifer Dunn had two children. One of her children is Reagan Dunn. He is an attorney and politician. He has been a member of the King County Council since 2005.
Jennifer Dunn passed away in 2007. She collapsed in her apartment in Alexandria, Virginia. Her death was caused by a pulmonary embolism. This is a serious condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. Her memorial service was held in Seattle.
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
