User:Mharbert20/Edness Kimball Wilkins

Edness Kimball Wilkins (born January 31, 1896) was the first female speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives.

Early life
She was born Edness Kimball to parents Wilson, mayor of Casper, and Edness Merrick Kimball in Casper, Wyoming, on January 31, 1896. She studied at both the University of Nebraska and the University of Kentucky.

Career
She worked as an assistant for Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman to be governor of a US state, from 1931 to 1935 when Ross was director of the the US Mint.

From 1950 to 1953 Wilkins ran the Water and Sanitation Department for Casper, Wyoming.

In 1954 Wilkins was elected for the first time to the Wyoming House of Representatives to represent Natrona County. She went on to serve five more terms in the state legislature.

Wilkins was originally rejected as Speaker, and instead Walter B. Phelan was elected Speaker of the House in 1965, despite the fact that Wilkins was leader of the majority party, the Democrats. At the time, she commented she was used to "stepping aside for the men". However, Phelan died in 1966, and as the leader of the majority party, Wilkins assumed the office of Speaker.

In 1966 Wilkins ran for and won election to the Wyoming State Senate.

In 1972 she again won election to the Wyoming House of Representatives, and she continued to serve there until her death in on September 15, 1980.

Personal life
She was married to Ronald Wilkins, and together they had one son. During her life she was an active member of the League of Women Voters.

Legacy
The Edness K. Wilkins State Park near Casper, Wyoming, was named for Wilkins.