1961–1964
Ruth Small Stockton (June 6,1916 –October 21,1990) represented Jefferson County for 24 years as a Republican state representative in the Colorado General Assembly. Stockton was the Senate Majority Caucus leader (1967-1968) and the first woman to serve as the state's president pro tempore (1979-1980). [1] She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1985. [2]
She attended Vassar College but dropped out during the depression to work at Macy's,though she returned later to complete classes at Columbia University. [3] Her father,Arthur Small,was worked for the Republican National Committee. [3] While at the 1936 Republican National Convention,she met her future husband,Truman Stockton,who was then the president of the Young Republicans and a Colorado delegate. [3]
Stockton waited until her daughter went to college to run for office. [2] [4] She was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1961 and,after subsequent reelections to the house,won a seat in the Colorado Senate,where she represented Lakewood from 1965 until 1984. Stockton was the Senate Majority Caucus leader (1967-1968) and the first woman to serve as the state's president pro tempore (1979-1980). [1] [2] During over two decades in office,she chaired the Appropriations,Senate Services,and Health,Environment,Welfare,and Institutions committees,in addition to chair the Joint Budget Committee,which she was the first woman to do. [1] Stockton was a moderate Republican and supported the Equal Rights Amendment and women's abortion rights. [2]
In 1986,a stained glass mural of Stockton was installed in the Senate chamber of the Colorado State Capitol. [5]
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