Kathryn Clarke (1873 – August 19, 1940) was an American politician, and the first woman to serve in the Oregon Senate.[1]
Clarke was born in 1873 to John Clarke and Catherine McGregor Clarke in Gardiner, Oregon.[2] In January 1915, Senator George Neuner Jr. resigned to serve as district attorney, so governor Oswald West, the cousin of Clarke, set to appoint a replacement. He initially offered the post to Dexter Rice, a judge, but Rice declined. A special election was held on January 20, which Clarke won by 76 votes.[3][4][5] Clarke served until January 1917.[6]