Adella M. Parker
American politician, suffragist, lawyer, journalist, botanist and botanical collector
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adella M. Parker (variously spelled as Adele Parker, Adele Parker-Bennett, or Adela Parker)[2] (1870 – April 8, 1956) was an American suffragist, politician, lawyer, journalist, and teacher who lived in Seattle, Washington. She was a state representative for District 37 in Washington from 1935 to 1937. In 1909, she was the president of the Washington College League.[3]
Adella M. Parker | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the District 37 district | |
| In office 1935–1937 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1, 1870[citation needed] |
| Died | April 8, 1956 (aged 86) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Charles Enoch Allen Bennett
(m. 1921; died 1929) |
| Alma mater | University of Washington School of Law |
Early life and education
Parker was born in Whitehall, Michigan[1] in 1870.[2] She moved with her parents to Seattle.[1] Parker went to law school at the University of Washington, from which she graduated in 1903 as the only woman in the class.[1] She completed graduate work at the West Virginia University and the University of Wisconsin.[1]
Career
In addition to practicing law, Parker taught political economics and government at Broadway High School.[1][4] She was the executive secretary of the Seattle High School Teachers' League from 1931 to 1934.[1] She fought for years trying to find a legislation that wouldn't affect women. She always fought hard for women with multiple speeches and conventions.[5]
Parker was an advocate for municipal good government and for women's suffrage.[6] She was a member of the Women's Good Government League in Seattle[4] and president of the Women's Suffrage League.[1] She drafted a recall law and led a campaign for it to be adopted by Seattle city council as a charter amendment, eventually leading to the recall of Mayor Hiram Gill, who was accused of condoning gambling.[6][7] It was noted by the media that Parker drafted the law and had it adopted before women acquired the right to vote.[6]
Parker married Charles Enoch Allen Bennett in 1921; the couple honeymooned in Siberia. From 1922 to 1923, Parker served as a Moscow correspondent for the International News Service.[1] Bennett died in 1929.[1]
From 1935 to 1937, Parker represented District 37, comprising King County, in the Washington State House of Representatives.[2] She was a member of the Democratic Party.[2]
Death
Parker died on April 8, 1956, after a short illness.[1]