Belle Reeves
Belle Reeves | |
|---|---|
| 8th Secretary of State of Washington | |
| In office February 7, 1938 – January 2, 1948 | |
| Governor | Clarence D. Martin Arthur B. Langlie Monrad Wallgren |
| Preceded by | Ernest Hutchinson |
| Succeeded by | Earl Coe |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 12th district | |
| In office January 9, 1933 – 1938 Serving with Ivan J. Compton (1933–1935) Robert Murray (1935–1937) Noble L. "Dude" Brown (1937–1938) | |
| Preceded by | Earl W. Benson |
| Succeeded by | John Isenhart D. W. Jones |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 56th district | |
| In office January 12, 1931 – January 9, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | E. M. Gillette |
| Succeeded by | None (district dissolved) |
| In office January 8, 1923 – January 10, 1927 | |
| Preceded by | E. M. Gillette |
| Succeeded by | Hubert Remley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anna Belle Culp August 17, 1870 Quincy, Ohio, US |
| Died | January 2, 1948 (aged 77) Olympia, Washington, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Frank Reeves |
| Education | Normal School, Lyons, Kansas; University of Washington School of Law |
| Occupation | Orchardist; printer's apprentice; reporter; stenographer; teacher; typesetter |
Belle Reeves (August 17, 1870 – January 2, 1948) was an American Democratic politician from Washington. After first winning election as a write-in candidate in 1922, she served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives representing Chelan County from 1923 to 1927 and 1931 to 1938. She became the first female Washington Secretary of State in 1938 upon her appointment by Governor Clarence D. Martin (and just the second woman to hold statewide elective office in Washington, after Josephine Preston). She served as Secretary of State for ten years through successful elections in 1940 and 1944, dying while in office in 1948. She was also the first woman featured at a national convention of either major party.