WA Chief Historian speaks on Julia Butler Hansen

On Sunday, November 3, from 2-4 p.m. John C. Hughes, author and Washington's Chief Historian will be presenting an oral history of the life and legacy of Julia Butler Hansen, the legendary Congresswoman from Cathlamet, at Little Island Creamery on Puget Island.

The first major biography of Hansen, "Julia Butler Hansen, A trailblazing Washington Politician," was written by John C. Hughes. He met the newly-elected congresswoman in 1960 when he was a student at Grays Harbor College. Hughes had the advantage of talking with her often during her years in Congress. Six years later he would spend the next 42 years as a reporter, editor and publisher for The Aberdeen Daily World. When asked what Hughes remembers most about his first meeting with the Congresswoman he says, "She had personality and pluck! She could also be charming and forceful!"

Hughes goes on to say, "Julia's son David, a retired Fort Vancouver historian gave full access to what amounted to a writer's dream: Julia's journals, which she began keeping at the age of 15."

Hansen believed "girls can do anything," and in 1937, "Overcoming male chauvinism with her competence and charisma," Hughes writes, she was the first woman to serve on the Cathlamet Town Council and when she retired from politics in 1975 she had been undefeated in 42 consecutive elections, including primaries.

Representing the 3rd Congressional District, Hansen was poised to become the most powerful woman in Congress as the first woman to head a House appropriations subcommittee.

Washington Saluted her as the "grand lady of politics and transportation." The Legislature and Transportation Commission voted to rename Cathlamet's historic Puget Island Bridge in her honor. In 1939 as a freshman legislator, she played a key role in securing final funding for the span.

Hughes says Julia is "a character with a character!"

Tickets are $10 thru Eventbrite.com or at the door. For more information call 360-849-9456.