Olene Walker (1948)

Utah's first female governor

What is Olene Walker (1948) known for?

Born on November 15, 1930, in Ogden, Utah, Olene Walker was a distinguished American politician known for her outstanding contributions to Utah. She graduated from Weber High School and went on to receive her Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in 1953, her Master's from Stanford University, and her doctorate in education administration from the University of Utah.

Her political career began in the Utah House of Representatives, serving a term as Majority Whip and playing a key role in creating Utah's Rainy Day Fund. Walker then served as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Utah for a decade before becoming governor. She established the Salt Lake Education Foundation and chaired several committees, including the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and the Utah State Housing Coordinating Committee.

In 2003, Walker made history by becoming Utah's first female governor, assuming office after then-governor Mike Leavitt resigned to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. She served as governor until the end of her term on January 3, 2005. During her governorship, Walker significantly supported education in Utah, initiating the Read With a Child Early Literacy Initiative, and often visiting classrooms to read to children. She vetoed a proposal for private school vouchers, arguing it would divert funding away from public schools.

Beyond education, Walker signed legislation ending the use of firing squads for executions in Utah, worked to conserve the Utah wilderness, and advocated for affordable housing. However, in a controversial move in 2004, the Utah Republican Party declined to place her name on the primary ballot, instead selecting Jon Huntsman, Jr. and Nolan Karras, marking the first time in 48 years that an incumbent Utah governor failed to secure their party's nomination.

Olene Walker, who was known for her pioneering role in government and unrelenting passion for education, passed away on November 28, 2015, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She left a profound legacy in Utah, and her work continues to inspire many in public service.

For more information about Olene Walker, refer to pages like the National Governors Association or the Utah State History.