Dixy Lee Ray ( September 3 , 1914 – January 2 , 1994 ) was an American scientist and politician who served as the 17th Governor of the U.S. state of Washington . Variously described as idiosyncratic , and " ridiculously smart , " she was the state 's first female governor and was in office during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens . She was a supporter of atomic energy
1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
Dixy Lee Ray