Women in City Government

Some women found their "places" in the City by fighting tirelessly for them, enduring discrimination and unfair treatment. It was often the women who came after them who benefited from their work. Other women found niches where they fit in easily and were able to do their work unimpeded. And some women worked without pay in order to do what they felt was important work.

From advocating for women and children on the streets to finding a way to increase the number of women working for the City in professional positions, women in city government have struggled since the City was founded to create a more hospitable environment for themselves and the women who came after them. Some women are well known, some are not remembered. All made a difference in the quality of life for women in the City of Seattle today.

Table of Contents Women in Early Seattle Women in the Police Department Women Finding their Place Librarian Mary "May" Banks Mayor Bertha Knight Landes Parks and Recreation Leader Pearl Powell Gender and Employment Hints for the Homemaker: Mary Norris Women and the Trades Women in the Fire Department Equality for All? Timeline Bibliography

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