Voting Station

Dixy Lee Ray

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U.S. Governor

The Resume

    (September 3, 1914-January 2, 1994)
    Born in Tacoma, Washington
    Birth name was Marguerite Ray
    Marine biologist
    Chair of the Atomic Energy Commission (1973-75)
    Governor of Washington (1977-81)
    Wrote 'Trashing the Planet: How Science Can Help Us Deal with Acid Rain, Depletion of the Ozone Layer and Nuclear Waster (Among Other Things)' (1992) and 'Environmental Overkill' (1994)

Why she might be annoying:

    While serving on the Atomic Energy Commission, she lived in a motor home and brought her dogs to the office.
    Her former campaign manager said, 'She ridiculed those who disagreed with her. She antagonized people.'
    She antagonized so many of her fellow Democrats that she lost the party's nomination when she sought a second term.
    Shortly before her death, she dismissed reports about secret Cold War radiation experiments as alarmist ('Everyone is exposed to radiation. A little bit more or a little bit less is of no consequence.'), ignoring the real issue that the government should not be conducting experiments on unsuspecting civilians without their consent.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She climbed Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in Washington state, at age 12, making her at the time the youngest girl to reach the summit.
    She paid her way through Mills College working as a janitor and a chauffeur to the college president.
    Time magazine wrote, 'When she is the mood, she radiates a charm that makes her seem like a benevolent pixie.'
    She was the second American woman to be elected governor without having followed her husband into office.
    Her advice for other women was, 'If you want to do something, then train yourself and you've got to be willing to work.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 23 Votes: 52.17% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 23 Votes: 73.91% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying