Mary Skinner (June 7, 1945 – February 5, 2009) was an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives for seven consecutive terms from 1995 to 2009. She represented Washington's 14th legislative district as a Republican.[1] She was the daughter of migrant workers and a great niece of Venustiano Carranza, a former President of Mexico.[2]

Mary Skinner
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 14th district
In office
January 9, 1995 – January 12, 2009
Preceded byBetty Edmondson
Succeeded byNorm Johnson
Personal details
Born (1945-06-07) June 7, 1945 (age 79)
California, U.S.
DiedFebruary 5, 2009(2009-02-05) (aged 63)
Yakima, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationCentral Washington University (B.A.); Yakima Valley Community College (now Yakima Valley College)
OccupationTeacher (junior high)

Herself raised as a farm worker, she was one of a growing number of Mexican American women who entered politics in Washington State from the 1980s.[3]

In 2005 to 2007, she served as the Republican Caucus vice-chair, and she held positions on various state commissions and committees in the course of her career. She served on numerous committees, with leadership roles on the health care committee (vice chair, 1997–99 and 2001–03) and trade and economic development committee (ranking minority member, 2003–05).[2]

Outside the legislature, she served on the boards of Yakima Valley Community College (now Yakima Valley College), as well as its foundation; Heritage College; Capitol Theatre; and represented Washington's 3rd congressional district on the Washington State Board of Education. She also performed community service in other capacities for several healthcare and educational institutions. She was affiliated with the Washington Athletic Club, the American Association of University Women (Walla Walla and Olympia), Junior League (Yakima and Olympia), and PEO.[2]

She died at her home in Yakima on February 5, 2009.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "State of Washington: Members of the Legislature 1889-2019" (PDF). Washington Legislative Information Center. Brad Hendrickson, Secretary of the Senate; Bernard C. Dean, Chief Clerk House of Representatives. February 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Mary Skinner" (PDF). Women in the Legislature. Washington State Legislature. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  3. ^ Salas, Elizabeth (December 30, 2003), "Mexican American Women in Washington", HistoryLink, Seattle: History Ink, retrieved August 17, 2022.
  4. ^ Cornfield, Jerry (February 5, 2009). "Former lawmaker Mary Skinner dies". The Everett Herald. Retrieved November 15, 2022.

Further reading

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