Jolene Unsoeld facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jolene Unsoeld
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 3rd district |
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| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Don Bonker |
| Succeeded by | Linda Smith |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 22nd district |
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| In office January 14, 1985 – January 9, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Kreidler |
| Succeeded by | Karen Fraser |
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Jolene Bishoprick
December 3, 1931 Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. |
| Died | November 28, 2021 (aged 89) Olympia, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Oregon State University |
Jolene Bishoprick Unsoeld (born December 3, 1931 – died November 28, 2021) was an American politician. She served in the United States House of Representatives from 1989 to 1995. This is where laws for the whole country are made. As a member of the Democratic Party, Unsoeld represented a part of Washington state. She was known for supporting environmental causes and women's rights.
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Early Life and Adventures
Jolene Bishoprick was born in Corvallis, Oregon, on December 3, 1931. Her father worked in the timber business.
She went to Oregon State University for two years. In 1951, she married Willi Unsoeld, who was a famous mountaineer and later a college professor. They had four children together. Jolene even went with Willi to the Himalayas. There, in the early 1960s, she managed a program that taught English to local people in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Political Journey
Helping Washington State
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Jolene Unsoeld worked as a "citizen lobbyist." This means she was a regular person who tried to influence laws. She pushed for "open government." This idea means that government meetings and records should be public.
Her hard work led to a new law in 1972 called Initiative 276. This law created the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. It made sure that politicians had to show where their campaign money came from.
In 1977, Jolene and her husband became worried about new nuclear power plants. They started a group called Fair Electric Rates Now (FERN). This group worked to stop too much money being spent on nuclear energy. They also encouraged people to save energy.
In 1984, she decided to run for office herself. She became a state representative in the Washington State Legislature. She served two terms there before running for Congress. A group called EMILY's List called her "the conscience" of the state legislature. But Jolene liked to call herself a "citizen meddler."
Serving in Congress
The 1988 Election
In 1988, the representative for Washington's 3rd district decided not to run again. So, Jolene Unsoeld ran for that open spot in Congress. She faced another candidate in the first election, called the primary. She then won the main election by a very small number of votes. Out of over 218,000 votes, she won by only 618!
Because the vote was so close, her victory was confirmed after a recount. This happened five weeks after election day. Her campaign was supported by EMILY's List, a group that helps women get elected.
Time in Office and 1994 Election
When Jolene Unsoeld started in Congress, one of her first actions was to support a bill for gay rights. During her six years in Congress, she worked hard on the federal Freedom of Information Act. This law helps people get information from the government.
She also became known for her views on gun control. Even though she was very liberal on many issues, she did not support some gun control laws. For example, she voted against the "1994 Crime Bill."
In 1994, she ran for re-election but lost. This was part of a big change in politics that year. Her opponent, Linda Smith, won in what was seen as a surprise. The election was very competitive.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving Congress, Jolene Unsoeld taught at Harvard University in 1995. She then returned to Washington state. In October 1995, the governor appointed her to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. This group helps manage fishing and wildlife.
She was appointed again in 1997. However, the State Senate did not approve her re-appointment. This was because she argued that more rules were needed to help salmon populations recover.
In 2008, Jolene Unsoeld received the James Madison Award. This award recognized her efforts to make government more open and transparent.
Jolene Unsoeld passed away in Olympia, Washington, on November 28, 2021. She died just five days before her 90th birthday.
See also
- Washington state congressional delegates
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
