Vera Katz

Financial Services Human Resources BIBS Bureau of Purchases Revenue Bureau Technology Services Business Operations

POL

Bureaus

Diversity Development/Affirmative Action

Diversity Development Ctr

Cultural Celebration

Women's History Month Blog 2007

Vera Katz - Printable Version - March 14, 2007 - 2 Comments

Vera Katz (1933- )

Vera Katz was the first woman to chair the Ways and Means Committee and Oregon’s first woman to serve as Speaker of the House during her tenure in the House of Representatives. She later became Portland’s third female mayor.

Vera Katz was born of Russian heritage in Düsseldorf, Germany on August 3, 1933, and fled Nazi persecution with her family before settling in Brooklyn, New York. Vera graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College in 1955. Nine years later Vera moved to Portland with her former husband, artist Mel Katz, and their infant son Jesse. Vera entered politics as an activist, and picketed the Portland City Club in the late 1960s and early 70s, protesting their exclusion of women, and effectively pushing the Club into admitting women.

From her success, Vera embarked on a political career that would span more than three decades. She was first elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1972. During her tenure she became the first woman to chair the Ways and Means Committee, as well as Oregon’s first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, and the only three-time speaker. In 1992, she launched a successful mayoral campaign, starting the first of three terms as Portland’s third female mayor.

In 2000 Mayor Katz was diagnosed with breast cancer. Four years later, doctors found adenosarcoma—a rare and aggressive form of cancer. With this news, Vera announced that she would not seek a fourth term, ending 32 years in public office.

Comments

Please review our Code of Conduct rules before posting a comment to this site. Report Abuse, please include specific topic and comment for the fastest response/resolution.

Posted by: Sherrie - March 14, 2007 09:26 AM

Good job!!I'm glad to see someone wrote about my Favorite Person.As I would have liked to but did last year figuring it was someone elses turn

Posted by: michelle blackstone - March 19, 2008 03:45 PM

My name is Michelle Blackstone, from Shawnee, OK and I heard from my sister in Molalla, OR that you were cured of your rare form of cancer. My sister, Nancye Cunningham, lives in Grapevine, TX and she has the same form of cancer that you have. Is there anyway that I could find out what type of chemo you had so they could try it on her. She is only 57 and I don't want to lose her. She is my best friend also. I hope that you will be able to help. You are the last resort that I may be able to find information. I am so happy that you were cured.
Sincerely, Michelle
mmblackstone@yahoo.com

Post a Comment (Sign-In Required)

Women's History Month Links and Resources

Get more news and information!

Upcoming Women's History Month Events

See what's coming up!