Marian B. Towne
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2024) |
Marian B. Towne (December 6, 1880 – February 16, 1966) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who was the first woman to serve in the Oregon House of Representatives.[1] She was elected to that office in 1914, serving until 1917. Towne was born in Sterlingville, Oregon and died in Phoenix, Oregon.
Early life[edit]
Towne was born in Sterlingville, on December 6, 1880.[1] Her family later moved to Phoenix, where her father, William Francis Towne, was a successful merchant.[1] After Towne graduated from the local school, she served as assistant county clerk in Medford.[1] She began studying law, and left Oregon to attend the University of Michigan Law School for a term in 1908.[1] She used her legal studies to evaluate state laws that might affect Jackson County.[1] This experience led her to run for the legislature.[1]
Political career[edit]
1914 was the first year women women were eligible to vote and run for office in Oregon.[1] The mayor of Medford endorsed her candidacy, as well as the publisher of the Mail Tribune, George Putnam.[1] Towne was elected to serve during the 1915 Oregon legislative session.[1] She served alongside Kathryn Clarke, the first female Oregon State Senator.[1] She served on the House Education, Health and Public Morals, and Salaries committees.[1] Among the bills she introduced was a bill to increase school funding and expand the minimum school term from six to eight months.[1] She also spoke in defense of the Oregon Girl's Industrial Home.[1] She did not win reelection in 1916.[1]
Military career[edit]
In 1917, at the start of World War I, Towne volunteered for service the U.S. Naval Reserve, the first time women were allowed to do so.[1] She served as a clerk at the Bremerton Naval Yard, where she applied for a regular commission in the U.S. Navy.[1] Her application was rejected.[1] She was discharged from the Naval Reserve in 1920.[1]
Later life[edit]
Towne worked for the state of Washington for the Department of Health, the State Bar of California and the California Public Welfare Department.[1] She returned to Oregon in the late 1950s; she died in Phoenix on February 16, 1966 at age 85.[1]
See also[edit]
- Oregon Equal Suffrage Amendment
- Sylvia McGuire Thompson, Oregon politician who became first female member of the Democratic National Campaign Committee
- Women in the United States Navy
References[edit]
External links[edit]
- Marian B. Towne, Southern Oregon Historical Society
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