Helen Sommers: An Oral History

pg. 88 Helen’s Final Day of Her Legislature Career!
Sen . Karen Fraser (D-22 nd District): “I met Helen
Sommers before she was even
a legislator – sometime in the
early ‘70s when we both were
actively engaged in efforts to
advance the status of women.
She was a true leader in that.
Then, later on, to my surprise,
I became a legislator and in
the House I served on the
Capital Budget Committee
Sen. Karen Fraser
that she chaired. I learned a
lot about how to approach
the Capital Budget. I never dreamed one day I’d
end up chairing the Capital Budget Committee in
the Senate many years later. Then we served on
the Pension Committee together and, as so many
people mentioned, she is just a tremendous leader
on pensions!
We’ve all learned so much about fiscal responsibility
from Helen being such a role model. Helen will
not be here voting next session, but Helen’s views
will still be here. Helen leaves a great legacy and I
think we’ll all be asking: “What would Helen say?”
Sen . Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10 th District): “I,
too, want to say thank you
to Helen. I probably wouldn’t
be here if it wasn’t for Helen.
Back in the ‘80s when women
were looking to run for office,
it was pretty hard, and
we didn’t often get much
encouragement. But that’s
one thing Helen did. She
encouraged women at that
Sen. Mary Margaret
Haugen
point to become leaders!
She’s been a great role model
and a wonderful mentor to all of us. But I want
to tell you a kind of personal story about Helen.
We had this group called the “steelhead fishing
group.” In Skagit County they’d been trying to
get some money for a hatchery. So we finally convinced
Helen to go up and go fishing with these
gals. It was a great experience. Helen learned about
Marblemount in Skagit County. But more than
anyone else, Helen really showed those men that
Helen was a true person because oftentimes she’s
known as a woman who says “no” to everything!
But she laughed and had a good time that day and
she showed the citizens that legislators care about
you. Helen Thank you! We’ll miss you!”
Sen . Cheryl Pflug (R-5th District): “I rise to honor
one of the great ladies of the
Legislature. I arrived in the
Olympia with a respect for
Helen on the other side of the
aisle, because my first seatmate,
Rep. Brian Thomas said “You
watch her; she’s brilliant and
she’s fair. If you need something,
just talk to Helen; she will teach
you.” I’ve often found that to
Sen. Cheryl Pflug be true. We haven’t always
agreed; but we often have.
It’s been a joy to serve with you and to watch
the grace with which you have conducted yourself
in an environment that’s not always that easy. Everyone
will connect the word ‘integrity’ with you;
both for your courage and for truthfulness. I have
always appreciated your passion and your vision
for higher education and I think that is on of the
legacies you leave behind, as well. I wish you much
happiness in all you do.”
Sen . Ken Jacobsen (D-4th District): “I met Helen in
1982; she and Seth Armstrong
were my mentors when I was
first running for office. Helen
got elected in 1972 she was
the first Democrat in the 36th District. A few years later,
her Republican seatmate
flipped over to take Helen
out, but he didn’t realize what
a tough race he had. She took
him out!
Sen. Ken Jacobsen
Another great time I had with Helen: I stood firmly
on her side when SEIU decided she wasn’t ‘dutiful’
enough. They must have spent a half-million against
you. There were “doorbellers” everywhere! You
were so energetic in that race. One of your posters
said “Unboughten, Unbossed!” One of my treasured
memories of this place is the framed poster
I have in my office! Helen signed it “Unbought,