Jeanette Williams

Alice Jeanette Williams (June 11, 1914 – October 24, 2008), née Alice Jeanette Klemptner, was an American politician and human and women's rights activist from Seattle, Washington. She served on the Seattle City Council from 1969 to 1989.

Early years Born in Seattle, Washington to Russian immigrants, Dr. Louis and Olga Klemptner, she attended Mercer Grade School and Queen Anne High School. Originally named after woman suffragist Alice Paul, she went by her middle name Jeanette beginning in her youth. She later took private lessons from Mary Davenport Engberg concurrent with her studies at the University of Washington, where she did not major in violin or music, but instead received her undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts in 1935. She went on to obtain two master's degrees at the American Conservatory of Music in Violin and Composition. While in Chicago, she played with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and formed a string quartet composed of women who toured the country playing jazz and blues music.

Political career Williams began her political career while serving as a precinct committee officer. In 1962, she became chairwoman of the King County Democrats, although she was not the first woman to be elected to this position.

In 1969, she won a seat on the Seattle City Council where she would serve for twenty years after five consecutive re-elections.

In 1972, Williams formed the Seattle Women's Commission to advise the mayor, city council, and city departments on issues that impact women in Seattle. During her tenure, she lobbied the federal government for funding for the construction of the West Seattle Bridge In 2003, the Jeanette Williams Award was created as part of the 2003 Seattle Women’s Summit to recognize an individual who demonstrates significant leadership and service in advancing the cause of women in Seattle. The award is granted on an annual basis and as of 2014 has expanded to include awards for an individual, organization, and business.