Emma Ridgway
Emma Abbott Ridgway (1903 – 1981) was an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives for five terms, from 1945 to 1947 and from 1949 to 1957. She represented Washington's 40th legislative district as a Democrat.[3][1] She served on a number of legislative committees over her five terms, chairing the educational institutions committee in the 1945 term. In party leadership, she was vice chair of the state Democratic Central Committee from 1936 to 1946, state chair of the Democratic Women's Division, and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1944 and 1948.[1]
Emma Ridgway | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 40th district | |
| In office January 10, 1949 – January 14, 1957 Serving with Violet P. Boede (1949–51) Grant C. Sisson (1949–53) James T. Ovenell (1951-57) Don Eldridge (1953–57) | |
| Preceded by | Sverre N. Omdahl Ed M. Schwarz Grant C. Sisson |
| Succeeded by | Don Eldridge James T. Ovenell Ralph L. Rickdall |
| In office January 8, 1945 – January 13, 1947 Serving with Violet P. Boede Fred J. Martin | |
| Preceded by | Violet P. Boede Fred J. Martin Grant C. Sisson |
| Succeeded by | Sverre N. Omdahl Ed M. Schwarz Grant C. Sisson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 21, 1903 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 1981 (aged 77) Sedro-Woolley, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dr. Ralph[1] (Hubert?[2]) Ridgway |
| Education | Washington State College (now Washington State University) (B.A.) Columbia University (M.A.) |
| Occupation | Movie theater owner/manager |
Outside the legislature, she was affiliated with Alpha Chi Omega, the American Legion Auxiliary, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Lambda Theta honor societies, and the Sedro-Woolley Soroptomist Club. She was manager of the Washington State Building at the 1939 New York World's Fair.[1]
References
- "Emma Abbott Ridgway" (PDF). Women in the Legislature. Washington State Legislature. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
- "Emma Abbott Ridgway". Washington Legacymakers. Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
- "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 September 21, 2022.
Further reading
- “Republicans Win All County Offices, County GOP Victory Biggest Since 1930,” The Courier-Times (Sedro-Woolley), November 7, 1946
- “Emma Ridgway Loses; Sharpe Wins by 5 Votes,” The Courier-Times (Sedro-Woolley), November 15, 1956
- “State Aide Quits over G.O.P. Policy,” The Seattle Times, August 23, 1965
- Obituaries, Emma Abbott Ridgway,” Sedro-Woolley Courier-Times, May 6, 1981
- Bourasaw, Noel V., “Dream Theatre, Abbott Motor Co., Dad Abbott family, Emma and Hugh Ridgway,” Skagit River Journal, 2004