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Adella M. Parker
Adella M. Parker (variously spelled as Adele Parker, Adele Parker-Bennett, or Adela Parker)[2] (1870 – April 8, 1956) was an American suffragist, politician, lawyer, journalist, and teacher who lived in Seattle, Washington. She was a state representative for District 37 in Washington from 1935 to 1937. In 1909, she was the president of the Washington College League.[3] Early life and educationParker was born in Whitehall, Michigan[1] in 1870.[citation needed] She moved with her parents to Seattle.[1] Parker went to law school at the University of Washington, from which she graduated in 1903 as the only woman in the class.[1] She completed graduate work at the West Virginia University and the University of Wisconsin.[1] CareerIn addition to practicing law, Parker taught political economics and government at Broadway High School.[1][4] She was the executive secretary of the Seattle High School Teachers' League from 1931 to 1934.[1] Parker was an advocate for municipal good government and for women's suffrage.[5] She was a member of the Women's Good Government League in Seattle[4] and president of the Women's Suffrage League.[1] She drafted a recall law and led a campaign for it to be adopted by Seattle city council as a charter amendment, eventually leading to the recall of Mayor Hiram Gill, who was accused of condoning gambling.[5][6] It was noted by the media that Parker drafted the law and had it adopted before women acquired the right to vote.[5] Parker married Charles Enoch Allen Bennett in 1921; the couple honeymooned in Siberia. From 1922 to 1923, Parker served as a Moscow correspondent for the International News Service.[1] Bennett died in 1929.[1] From 1935 to 1937, Parker represented District 37, comprising King County, in the Washington State House of Representatives.[2] She was a member of the Democratic Party.[2] DeathParker died on April 8, 1956, after a short illness.[1] References
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