Green, Edith, 1910-1987

Edith Green served ten consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives, from 1955 to 1974, as the Representative for the 3rd District of the State of Oregon. Mrs. Green was born Edith Louise Starrett, January 17, 1910; her family moved to Oregon from South Dakota in 1916. She received her education in Salem schools, including two years at Willamette University. Financial hardship delayed completion of her degree, which she finally earned from the University of Oregon in 1939. A schoolteacher turned politician, Mrs. Green actively participated in Democratic Party politics. As chair of the Oregon delegation in 1960 and 1968, she fostered close ties to presidential candidates John and Robert Kennedy. Nevertheless, a strident independence and pragmatism characterized her political career, especially in her later years, and she did not hesitate to vote against her party or president. A strong advocate of education, civil rights, fair labor practices, and gender equity, Rep. Green served on the Committee on Education and Labor and other House committees and was appointed by Pres. Kennedy to the President's Commission on the Status of Women. She championed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and was instrumental in passing major education legislation, including the National Defense Education Act (1958), the Higher Education Facilities Act (1963), as well as the Higher Education Acts of 1965 and 1972 that included legislation enforcing gender equality in public education (Title IX). Upon her retirement from Congress, Mrs. Green resided in Portland where she taught government at Warner Pacific College. She also served on the Oregon Board of Higher Education. Edith Green died April 21, 1987.

From the guide to the Edith Green papers, 1955-1975, (Oregon Historical Society)

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