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'''Marguerite Lee Ray,''' known as '''Dixy Lee Ray''' (September 3, 1914 – January 2, 1994), was an [[United States|American]] [[scientist]] who served as the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[governor]] of her native [[Washington]] State from 1977 to 1981. Variously described as idiosyncratic, and "ridiculously smart," she was the state's first female governor. She was in office during the 1980 eruption of [[Mount St. Helens]]. She was the last chairman of the [[Atomic Energy Commission]] and a lifelong proponent of nuclear energy.

'''Marguerite Lee Ray,''' known as '''Dixy Lee Ray''' (September 3, 1914 – January 2, 1994), was an [[United States|American]] [[scientist]] who served as the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[governor]] of her native [[Washington]] State from 1977 to 1981. Variously described as "idiosyncratic and "ridiculously smart," she was her state's first female governor. She was in office during the 1980 eruption of [[Mount St. Helens]]. Nationally, she was the last chairman of the [[Atomic Energy Commission]] before the agency was abolished in 1975. He was a lifelong proponent of nuclear energy.

==Background==

==Background==

In 1973, [[U.S. President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]] appointed Ray as the chairman of the [[Atomic Energy Commission]]. Under her leadership, research and development was separated from safety programs. She then served for six months under President [[Gerald Ford]] as the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. She resigned because of a lack of staff personnel and the failure of [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Henry Kissinger]] to invite her to participate in policy decisions.<ref name=findagrave/>

In 1973, [[U.S. President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]] appointed Ray as the chairman of the [[Atomic Energy Commission]]. Under her leadership, research and development was separated from safety programs. She then served for six months under President [[Gerald Ford]] as the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. She resigned because of a lack of staff personnel and the failure of [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Henry Kissinger]] to invite her to participate in policy decisions.<ref name=findagrave/>

Originally an [[Independent voter|Independent]] and a quite [[conservative]] person who had served under two [[Republican Party|Republican]] presidents, Ray ran for governor as a Democrat. She defeated the [[Moderate Republican]] [[John Spellman]], 53.4 to 40.5 percent, who four years later became her successor after she lost her bid for re-nomination to the more [[liberal]] James Adelbert "Jim" McDermott (born 1936), later a [[U.S. Representative]] from 1989 to 2017 for Washington's 7th congressional district. Known for her no-holds=barred style, Governor Ray approved the docking of supertankers in [[Puget Sound]] and supported unrestrained growth and development. In 1980, she proclaimed a state of emergency as a result of the volcanic eruption of [[Mount St. Helens]]. She retired after her governorship ended.<ref name=findagrave/>  

Originally an [[Independent voter|Independent]] and a quite [[conservative]] person who had served under two [[Republican Party|Republican]] presidents, Ray ran for governor as a Democrat. She defeated the [[Moderate Republican]] [[John Spellman]], the King County executive, 53.4 to 40.5 percent, who four years later became her successor after she lost her bid for re-nomination to the more [[liberal]] James Adelbert "Jim" McDermott (born 1936), later a [[U.S. Representative]] from 1989 to 2017 for Washington's 7th congressional district. Known for her no-holds=barred style, Governor Ray approved the docking of supertankers in [[Puget Sound]] and supported unrestrained growth and development. In 1980, she proclaimed a state of emergency as a result of the volcanic eruption of [[Mount St. Helens]]. She retired after her governorship ended.<ref name=findagrave/>  

In 1990, she published ''Trashing the Planet''; three years later, ''Environmental Overkill.'' She died at her island home in Fox Island, also in Pierce County, from a bronchial infection.<ref name=findagrave/>

In 1990, she published ''Trashing the Planet''; three years later, ''Environmental Overkill.'' She died at her home in Fox Island, also in Pierce County, from a bronchial infection.<ref name=findagrave/>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Democratic Governors]]

[[Category:Democratic Governors]]

[[Category:Democrats]]

[[Category:Democrats]]