Dorothy McCullough Lee
Encyclopedia
Dorothy McCullough Lee was an American politician and attorney in the state of Oregon
. She was the first female mayor of Portland, Oregon
.
on April 1, 1901. She was the only child of Flora Hill and Frank E. Mccullough, who became a Rear admiral
in World War I. Her early life involved a great deal of travel including Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, China, Guam, and much of Europe. When her father was stationed in Washington, D.C. as assistant surgeon general she snuck out at night to listen intently to the suffrage debates in Congress.
Her formal education was limited until she entered Rogers High School
in Newport, Rhode Island
where she graduated at age sixteen. She was determined to become an attorney (against her parents wishes). She earned a B.A. during her prelaw education from the University of California, Berkeley
in the spring of 1921 and a J.D. degree at the same institution in June 1923. She was admitted to the State Bar of California
in January 1923 and practiced law in San Francisco until July 1924. She married William Scott Lee on June 11, 1924 and moved to Portland, Oregon where her husband, a chemical engineer, became an executive for the Standard Oil
Company. Dorothy was admitted to the Oregon State Bar
in October 1924 and began a small private legal practice in December. In 1931, Dorothy and Gladys M. Everett created Oregon’s first all-woman law firm, opening their firm in Portland’s Failing Building.
methods including the loan of a U.S. Army bomber to effectively control mosquitoes. She was elected in 1944 to office. The city council rotated the president of the council position when the mayor was out of town. She became, technically, the first female mayor on January 16, 1946 when Mayor Riley was out of town.
. She reorganized the police department, ferreting out corruption and enforced city ordinances against vice. Her administration instituted one-way traffic patterns in the downtown and revitalized the Housing Authority of Portland. She also promoted an ordinance that passed unanimously prohibiting anyone from being excluded in a public place in Portland. She survived a recall effort in October 1949 and derision in the press (she was called "No Sin Lee" after closing the Chinese gambling establishments) but her anti-gambling stance likely cost her a second mayoral term, since influential citizens of the city believed it would destroy the private clubs.
According to historian E. Kimbark MacColl "Mrs. Lee was probably more qualified by experience and training to serve her office than anyone in Portland's previous history. But she lacked the degree of enlightened support from the leadership ranks of either business or the general community that could have provided her administration with a vital forward thrust".
by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
on August 7, 1953. She was appointed to the Subversive Activities Control Board
on September 4, 1956, and appointed chairman on January 2, 1957 (her new position becoming effective January 21). She resigned this position in August 1962 to resume her law practice and to serve as a lecturer at Portland State University
and the University of Portland
.
honored her first birthday as mayor by naming a new Convair CV-240 airliner “The Dorothy McCullough Lee”. The Woman’s National Press Club selected her as one of the nation’s six most distinguished women in April 1949. She was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Mills College in Oakland in June 1949.
in the McCullough family plot beside her parents and her husband.
, in the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~sch00694 The Oregon Historical Society
includes an untitled biography of Dorothy McCullough Lee written by her husband William Scott Lee (MSS 2772, OHS Research Library).
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. She was the first female mayor of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
.
Early life
Dorothy McCullough was born in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
on April 1, 1901. She was the only child of Flora Hill and Frank E. Mccullough, who became a Rear admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
in World War I. Her early life involved a great deal of travel including Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, China, Guam, and much of Europe. When her father was stationed in Washington, D.C. as assistant surgeon general she snuck out at night to listen intently to the suffrage debates in Congress.
Her formal education was limited until she entered Rogers High School
Rogers High School (Newport, Rhode Island)
Rogers High School is the only public high school in Newport, Rhode Island.-History:The school was founded by educator William Sanford Rogers in 1873 and was named for him. The original Rogers High School building was on Church Street. The school moved to a building Broadway in 1905 and the old...
in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
where she graduated at age sixteen. She was determined to become an attorney (against her parents wishes). She earned a B.A. during her prelaw education from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
in the spring of 1921 and a J.D. degree at the same institution in June 1923. She was admitted to the State Bar of California
State Bar of California
The State Bar of California is California's official bar association. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law, investigating complaints of professional misconduct, and prescribing appropriate discipline...
in January 1923 and practiced law in San Francisco until July 1924. She married William Scott Lee on June 11, 1924 and moved to Portland, Oregon where her husband, a chemical engineer, became an executive for the Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
Company. Dorothy was admitted to the Oregon State Bar
Oregon State Bar
The Oregon State Bar is a government agency in the U.S. state of Oregon. Founded in 1890 as the private Oregon Bar Association, it became a public entity in 1935 that regulates the legal profession. The public corporation is part of the Oregon Judicial Department...
in October 1924 and began a small private legal practice in December. In 1931, Dorothy and Gladys M. Everett created Oregon’s first all-woman law firm, opening their firm in Portland’s Failing Building.
Oregon State Politics 1929–1943
Dorothy was a representative in the Oregon House for two terms from 1929 to 1931 and was appointed by the Multnomah County commissioners to a vacated seat and then campaigned and won office for five terms as a State Senator 1932–1943. She came up one vote short of becoming president of the Senate. Although she was seen as a conservative Republican, her politics also included liberal facets.City Commissioner 1943–1948
Dorothy resigned from the Oregon State Senate to assume the vacant city council seat of Clark D. Van Fleet appointed to her by Mayor Earl Riley (on the recommendation of the man who became her most consistent opponent, commissioner Fred. L. Peterson). She also vacated her law practice, then in the American Bank Building, to devote her full attention to city business. She became the first woman on the Portland City Council, and was the commissioner of public utilities. In office, she extended city water, modernized the traction system (battles with the Portland Traction Company earned her the nickname `Dauntless Dottie’), and applied United States Department of WarUnited States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
methods including the loan of a U.S. Army bomber to effectively control mosquitoes. She was elected in 1944 to office. The city council rotated the president of the council position when the mayor was out of town. She became, technically, the first female mayor on January 16, 1946 when Mayor Riley was out of town.
Mayor 1949–1953
After a scandal in the mayor’s office involving Earl Riley and police officers and bribery, Dorothy was petitioned to run for office. She ran for and won a term as mayor defeating seven candidates including Riley. She said “The forces are evil are pretty deep-seated in this city” and promised to “clean up sin, gambling, and prostitution”. She was sworn in on January 1, 1949. She started her term of office by shaking up the administration of the police department. She forced the removal of slot machines from American Legion, Eagles, and Shrine facilities and even the prestigious Multnomah Athletic ClubMultnomah Athletic Club
The Multnomah Athletic Club is a private social club and athletic club in Portland, Oregon, United States.Founded in 1891, the club has expanded greatly from its beginnings. It now fills two buildings totaling , making it the largest indoor athletic club in the world...
. She reorganized the police department, ferreting out corruption and enforced city ordinances against vice. Her administration instituted one-way traffic patterns in the downtown and revitalized the Housing Authority of Portland. She also promoted an ordinance that passed unanimously prohibiting anyone from being excluded in a public place in Portland. She survived a recall effort in October 1949 and derision in the press (she was called "No Sin Lee" after closing the Chinese gambling establishments) but her anti-gambling stance likely cost her a second mayoral term, since influential citizens of the city believed it would destroy the private clubs.
According to historian E. Kimbark MacColl "Mrs. Lee was probably more qualified by experience and training to serve her office than anyone in Portland's previous history. But she lacked the degree of enlightened support from the leadership ranks of either business or the general community that could have provided her administration with a vital forward thrust".
Later career
Dorothy was appointed to the U.S. Board of ParoleUnited States Parole Commission
The United States Parole Commission is the parole board responsible to grant or deny parole and to supervise those released on parole to incarcerated individuals who come under its jurisdiction. It is part of the United States Department of Justice....
by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
on August 7, 1953. She was appointed to the Subversive Activities Control Board
Subversive Activities Control Board
The Subversive Activities Control Board was a United States government committee to investigate Communist infiltration of American society during the 1950s Red Scare....
on September 4, 1956, and appointed chairman on January 2, 1957 (her new position becoming effective January 21). She resigned this position in August 1962 to resume her law practice and to serve as a lecturer at Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
and the University of Portland
University of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Roman Catholic university located in Portland, Oregon. It is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross and is the sister school of the University of Notre Dame. Founded in 1901, UP has a student body of about 3,600 students...
.
Awards
Western AirlinesWestern Airlines
Western Airlines was a large airline based in California, with operations throughout the Western United States, and hubs at Los Angeles International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and the former Stapleton International Airport in Denver...
honored her first birthday as mayor by naming a new Convair CV-240 airliner “The Dorothy McCullough Lee”. The Woman’s National Press Club selected her as one of the nation’s six most distinguished women in April 1949. She was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from Mills College in Oakland in June 1949.
Personal Information
Dorothy has been described as a blue eyed, tall, willowy woman, fragile looking and exquisitely groomed – five feet six and 115 pounds (at age 55). She had two children adopted as infants, David Scott Lee (born July 4, 1936 and received by the Lees five days later) and Priscilla Dorothy Lee (adopted in October 1937). Her husband, William Scott Lee, died on February 6, 1976. Early in 1981, Dorothy suffered a heart attack. Early on the morning of February 19, 1981 she died at Park View Nursing Home. She is buried in Portland’s River View CemeteryRiver View Cemetery (Portland, Oregon)
River View Cemetery in the southwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States, is a non-profit cemetery founded in 1882. It is the final resting place of many prominent and notable citizens of Oregon, including many governors and United States Senators...
in the McCullough family plot beside her parents and her husband.
Archival Papers and Unpublished Biography
The papers of Dorothy McCullough Lee are housed at Radcliffe CollegeRadcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
, in the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
Schlesinger Library
The Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America is a research library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University. According to Nancy F...
http://oasis.lib.harvard.edu/oasis/deliver/~sch00694 The Oregon Historical Society
Oregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society is an organization that encourages and promotes the study and understanding of the history of the Oregon Country, within the broader context of U.S. history. Incorporated in 1898, the Society collects, preserves, and makes available materials of historical character...
includes an untitled biography of Dorothy McCullough Lee written by her husband William Scott Lee (MSS 2772, OHS Research Library).