Washington (State). Governor (1977-1981 : Ray)

Dixy Lee Ray was born in Tacoma, Wash., on 3 Sept. 1914, the second of five daughters of Francis Adams Ray and Alvis M. Ray, a printer. Ray won a scholarship to Mills College and graduated in 1937. The following year she earned a Master's Degree at Mills, and then taught high school biology for four years. She earned her doctorate in marine biology at Stanford University in 1945, after which Dr. Ray taught zoology at the University of Washington for more than twenty years, while also doing research on marine invertebrates. She also served as director of the Pacific Science Center.

Ray was appointed to the Atomic Energy Commission in 1972, which required her to move from Seattle to Washington D.C. She later served as Assistant Secretary of State for Scientific Affairs, a post which made her responsible for coordinating all international scientific affairs from space technology to oceans and fisheries. After some conflict with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Ray resigned her post and returned to Washington State in 1975. Over the following year, Ray talked to many groups about energy, the wise use of technology and resources, her experiences in the nation's capital, and other issues, and began to think that she would like to be active in state government. Never previously allied with any political party, Ray decided to run for governor on the Democratic ticket in 1976. Ray's campaign statement was "THE FUTURE IS NOW!" After defeating King County Executive John Spellman in the Democratic primary, Ray went on to win the general election against Seattle mayor Wes Uhlman. Ray was only the second woman in the history of the U.S. to be elected governor without having been preceded in office by a husband.

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