Dixy Lee Ray

First Governor 1977-1981

A marine biologist and former head of theAtomic Energy Commission, the Tacoma native stunned the political establishment when she announced her bid for governor.
The Democrat supported nuclear power and economic development.
Ray earned a reputation as a political maverick for stormy relationships with fellow Democrats and media. At her farm on Fox Island, then-Governor Ray once named her pigs after the Capitol press corps she viewed as adversaries.
Though her candor grabbed the headlines, Ray’s family says her generosity was a littleknown attribute. “She’d give you the shirt off her back,” remarked her niece.

"We shouldn’t acceptthings just becausesomebody says so."