Ruth Clusen

Clusen began her national career as the president of the League of Women Voters, a position she held from 1974 to 1978. During her tenure, Clusen was instrumental in bringing issues relating to the environment to national attention. She was especially concerned with water purity, a fixation that stemmed from her time spent in Green Bay where water contamination was a problem.^[2] Additionally, Clusen fought for women's rights. She was a leading figure in the League's ultimately unsuccessful attempt to ratify an equal rights amendment for women. Additionally, in her role as president, Clusen served as the presidential debate moderator for Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.^[3] Her role as moderator was famously parodied by Lily Tomlin on Saturday Night Live.^[4]

After Carter won the election, he appointed Clusen to serve as the Assistant Secretary for the Environment at the United States Department of Energy. She held the position from 1978 to 1981. Clusen worked for a reduction of fossil fuel consumption at the Energy Department. After an unsuccessful bid for the United States Congress, Clusen finished her career as a member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, the governing body of the University of Wisconsin System.^[5]

• "Wisconsin Legislature: SJR24: Joint Resolution Text". docs.legis.wisconsin.gov. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
• "Ruth Clusen, 82; Moderator of 1976 Presidential Debates - latimes". Los Angeles Times. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 2015-04-10.

Preceded by Lucy W. Benson

President of the League of Women Voters 1974–1978

Succeeded by Ruth Hinerfeld