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Marian B. Towne

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Marian Towne

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Jensen, Kimberly. "Marian B. Towne". The Oregon Encyclopedia.
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