Rose Ann Vuich

Rose Ann Vuich (January 27, 1927 – August 30, 2001) was a second generation Serbian-American woman who served as a member of the California State Senate from 1976 until 1992. At age 50, she became the first female member of the California State Senate. She was a Democrat.

Early life Vuich was born in Cutler, California, on January 27, 1927. Originally from Herzegovina, Vuich's parents settled in Cutler to farm citrus, olive and fruit trees. A type of white peach they grew was later named the "Rose Ann" in her honor.

After graduating from Orosi Union High School, now Orosi High School, Vuich moved to the nearby farm town of Dinuba, California and became a tax accountant. She later became a member of the Alta District Hospital Board and President of the Dinuba Chamber of Commerce.

Political career

1976 State Senate Election Not many initially took notice when she was chosen to replace the presumed Democratic candidate for a vacant state Senate seat in 1976, as the area voted Republican in most elections.

The First Woman Senator Despite nominating her, the Democratic Caucus believed that Vuich's grassroots understanding of the district would prove more old-fashioned than practical, and that a woman would never succeed in Senate politics. Over the next sixteen years, Vuich would prove that her graciousness was not a sign of weakness, and that being a woman would not bar her from providing daring leadership. This ultimately angered the popular Republican Governor George Deukmejian in 1989 when she voted against confirming his chosen appointee for state treasurer, Dan Lungren, when the post became vacant.

As the state's first female state Senator, Vuich would ring a bell whenever her fellow Senators addressed the collective members of the Senate as "Gentlemen," to remind them that the chamber was no longer exclusively male. It was also her election that led to the creation of the first woman's bathroom in the state capitol. The bathroom, located behind the Senate floor, is still referred to as "The Rose Room."

The interchange of State Route 41 and State Route 180 in Fresno, California is named the Rose Ann Vuich Interchange, and in 2006, Hearing Room 2040 at the California State Capitol was renamed the Rose Ann Vuich Hearing Room. Rose Ann Vuich Park, named in her honor, is located in the city of Dinuba, California.