Free and fun: E-biography of trailblazer Jennifer Dunn

Free and fun: E-biography of trailblazer Jennifer Dunn

Dunnbookcover2The price is right – like, zero – and the storyline is darned interesting.  The oral-history folks at The Legacy Project have just e-published the ninth in a series about fascinating folks who have made a difference in Washington.  The late Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn is the subject of the latest biography.

Family and friends of Dunn’s gathered in Bellevue Tuesday night for a sentimental ceremony rolling out the new e-publication.  Guests ranged from high school classmates and GOP officials she worked with as state party chair, to former Sen. Slade Gorton and Rep. Dave Reichert.  Dunn was recalled as a classy lady who broke glass ceilings as the first woman leader of her state party, as the highest ranking woman in Congress at the time, and as an advocate for civil rights for women in Africa and Iraq.

Secretary of State Sam Reed, a longtime friend who hosted the event in Dunn’s old 8th Congressional District, said Dunn left an indelible mark on both Washingtons and served as a role model with her insistence on civility and respect.  Her family, including her husband Keith Thomson and her sons Reagan and Bryant, remembered her as a warm and loving mother and wife, and a wise friend and counselor to many.The full biography, including family photos and other features, is online. Author is Trova Heffernan, director of The Legacy Project, which is part of the planned Washington State Heritage Center.

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(Dunn’s family members pictured at the Tuesday event)

Previous oral histories have covered the first minority and female Supreme Court Justices Charles Z. Smith and Carolyn Dimmick, pioneering journalist Adele Ferguson, Justice Robert Utter, astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, Nirvana rocker and voting-rights advocate Krist Novoselic, civil rights pioneer Lillian Walker, and former First Lady and civic activist Nancy Evans.  Oral histories are in the works for former Governor Booth Gardner, Senator Gorton and tribal leader Billy Frank.

3 thoughts on “Free and fun: E-biography of trailblazer Jennifer Dunn

  1. I met Jennifer Dunn for the 1st time perhaps 15-20 or more years ago at Bloedell Donovan Park in Bellingham at a Republican Gathering. She came up to our table and introduced herself and was sincerely interested in everyone that she talked with, as a personal friend with a genuine interest in YOU. . I got that same response and feeling when meeting Ronald Reagan. THEY had a genuine interest and concern not just a quick brush off. This is a trait that carried her thruout her entire career and why she was so revered and loved by everyone that knew her.

  2. What a nice tribute to Congresswoman Dunn. It’s wonderful to have these biographies to read and learn from.

  3. I first met Jennifer in 1976 when we were both working to nominate Ronald Reagan for president . In 1986 I was appointed by the Reagan administration to head FmHA in Washington State. Jennifer was the Washington State Republican chair. Annually she assembled all of the state Reagan appointees to learn how they were carrying out the mission of the administration. I appreciated her honest approach to politics and desire to bring public service to the very highest standards.

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