In 1972, Jolene Unsoeld helped lead the campaign for Initiative 276, a landmark in citizen-mandated government transparency. She helped launch Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission and wrote a book analyzing campaign contributions. In 1988, Jolene became only the third woman ever elected to Congress from Washington State. She has been a tireless champion for open government, the environment and women’s rights. Jolene says, “There is no substitute for an informed, participatory public. If you try to stay on the sidelines, you’re just deceiving yourself so you have to find that inner strength to keep going.”

Read more of Jolene Unsoeld's story...