Hansen, Julia Butler, 1907-1988
Variant namesJulia Butler Hansen (June 14, 1907 – May 3, 1988), was an author, playwright, and politician. served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1960 to 1974. She was the second woman elected to Congress from Washington.
Born Julia Caroline Butler in Portland, Oregon, she attended public school in Washington before moving on to Oregon State College from 1924 to 1926; while working as a dietician and swimming instructor, she graduated from the University of Washington in 1930 with a degree in home economics. Two years before marrying blacksmith Henry Hansen in July 1939, she was elected to the city council of Cathlamet, Washington, where she served until 1946. Between 1939 and 1960, Julia Hansen served in the Washington state house of representatives, eventually rising to speaker pro tempore from 1955 to 1960 and chairing several committees.
In 1960 Hansen won the Democratic primary for the special election to fill the southwestern Washington seat held by Representative Russell Vernon Mack, who had died in office. On November 8, 1960, Hansen defeated Republican Dale M. Nordquist, 53 to 47 percent, to fill Mack’s unexpired term in the 86th Congress. On the same November 8 ballot, Hansen prevailed by the same margin against Nordquist for the full term to the 87th Congress. In Congresswoman Hansen’s six subsequent bids for re-election, she was never seriously challenged, winning with a range from 57 to 70 percent of the vote, including a 66-to-34 percent win in her final campaign in 1972.
Citing overwork and the grind of being “pursued by an endless string of people who want everything from post offices to gasoline", Hansen retired from Congress at the end of her seventh term, resigning on the last day of 1974. Hansen had been a prize-winning author long before entering politics, writing a work of juvenile fiction, Singing Paddles (1935). In retirement she continued her writing endeavors as an author and playwright. She also stayed active in government administration. In 1975 she was appointed to a six-year term on the Washington state toll bridge authority and state highway commission, which she had helped create during her years in the state legislature. She chaired the Washington state transportation commission from 1979 until her resignation in 1980. Hansen resided in Cathlamet until her death.
Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
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referencedIn | Dillis Charles Knapp papers, circa 1920-1981 | University of Washington Libraries Special Collections | |
creatorOf | Carl Bert Albert Congressional papers, 1910-1998, bulk 1946-1998. | University of Oklahoma, Bizzell Memorial Library | |
referencedIn | Marion S. Kinney papers, circa 1940-1981 | University of Washington Libraries Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Rayburn, Sam, 1882-1961, Papers, 1822, 1831, 1845, 1903-2007 | Dolph Briscoe Center for American History | |
creatorOf | Hansen, Julia Butler, 1907-1988. That day remembered [a play in three acts], 1952 | Washington State University, Holland and Terrell Libraries | |
referencedIn | Papers of Sherwin J. Markman. 1951 - 1972. Agency for International Development Files | Lyndon Baines Johnson Library | |
creatorOf | Former Members of Congress, Inc. (U.S.). Oral history collection, 1974-1980, audio materials [sound recording]. | Library of Congress | |
referencedIn | Hightower, Larry. Larry Hightower's collection from "goodwill" tour of the United States given to Earl Coe, Washington Secretary of State, 1946-1948. | Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State | |
referencedIn | Alexander, Dolores, 1931-2008. NOW officer papers, 1960-1973 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Records of the Fishermen's Wives of Gloucester (Association), (inclusive), (bulk), 1950-2009, 1977-2004 | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
referencedIn | Julia Butler Hansen Committee Papers, 1961-1974 | Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC) | |
creatorOf | That day remembered [a play in three acts], 1952 | Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC) | |
referencedIn | Alexander, Dolores. Papers, 1960-1973 (inclusive). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America | |
creatorOf | Julia Butler Hansen Committee. Records, 1961-1974. | Washington State University, Holland and Terrell Libraries | |
creatorOf | Julia Butler Hansen papers, 1930-1984, 1961-1974 | University of Washington Libraries Special Collections | |
referencedIn | Louchheim, Katie, 1903-. Oral histories, 1974-1976 (inclusive). | Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America |
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Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
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Seattle | WA | US | |
Portland | OR | US | |
Cathlamet | WA | US | |
Corvallis | OR | US |
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Birnie, James |
Burney family |
Political campaigns |
Literature |
Performing arts |
Public works |
Transportation |
Washington (State) |
Women legislators |
Women legislators |
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Authors |
City council members |
Dietitians |
Playwrights |
Representatives, U.S. Congress |
State Government Employee |
State Representative |
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Person
Birth 1907-06-14
Death 1988-05-03
Female
Americans
English