Blanche Pennick
Blanche Pennick (Democrat) represented
[the 19th] district of Pacific and Grays Harbor
counties. Elected in 1944, she served one
term.
Born 1905, in Washington, Pennick made her home in Montesano. She received her teaching degree from the University of Washington. Pennick taught elementary, junior high and high school classes. Administrative positions she held include high school principal, district superintendent and county superintendent of schools. She was also the educational advisor to Compton's Encyclopedia, and the director of the Taholah Community Action Program.
Concerned about school funding Pennick (then the County Superintendent of Schools) decided to run for the Legislature. With no financial support from her party, she ran virtually a one-woman campaign and received her community's support.
Representative Pennick was the chairwoman of the County and County Boundaries Committee, and a member of the Education, Revenue and Taxation, and State Library committees. In 1946 she decided to return to school administration. Looking back on her term in office she says, "I was proud people would give me their confidence. If people put their faith in you, you must live up to it."
--Political Pioneers, The Women Lawmakers
Born 1905, in Washington, Pennick made her home in Montesano. She received her teaching degree from the University of Washington. Pennick taught elementary, junior high and high school classes. Administrative positions she held include high school principal, district superintendent and county superintendent of schools. She was also the educational advisor to Compton's Encyclopedia, and the director of the Taholah Community Action Program.
Concerned about school funding Pennick (then the County Superintendent of Schools) decided to run for the Legislature. With no financial support from her party, she ran virtually a one-woman campaign and received her community's support.
Representative Pennick was the chairwoman of the County and County Boundaries Committee, and a member of the Education, Revenue and Taxation, and State Library committees. In 1946 she decided to return to school administration. Looking back on her term in office she says, "I was proud people would give me their confidence. If people put their faith in you, you must live up to it."
--Political Pioneers, The Women Lawmakers