Walker, Olene S. (Olene Smith), 1930-2015

Olene Walker (née Smith; November 15, 1930 – November 28, 2015) was an American politician who served as the 15th governor of Utah. She was sworn into office on November 5, 2003 as Utah's first female governor. From 1993 until 2003, Walker served as the state's first female Lieutenant Governor of Utah. She was a member of the Republican Party.

A native of Ogden, Utah, she attended Weber State College before graduating from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1953 and Stanford University with a master’s degree in political science the following year. After settling with her family in Salt Lake City, Walker served as an education consultant for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Volunteer Program director for the Salt Lake City School District. In 1980, she founded the Salt Lake Education Foundation, serving as its director for nine years. In 1981, Walker graduated from the University of Utah with a doctoral degree in education administration.

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