17 Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney (she/her)

Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney’s life story is a testament to resilience, activism, and dedicated public service. Kenney, born in Hardin, Montana in 1936, was raised in a family of migrant farm workers who settled in Wapato, Washington, during the early 1940s. At just five years old, Kenney began working in the fields, where she vividly recalls harvesting potatoes alongside her family, experiencing the hardships of agricultural labor at a very young age. Growing up in the Yakima Valley, one of the earliest Mexican families to establish roots there, Kenney was deeply influenced by her father’s passion for helping others and her own experiences as a farmworker. These early experiences ignited her commitment to social and political activism, leading her to become involved in efforts to assist farmworkers and marginalized communities.

In 1967 Kenney co-founded The Latino Association, which initiated a volunteer program providing educational and childcare services to migrant children. This initiative evolved into the Washington Citizens for Migrant Affairs, now known as Inspire, which secured federal funding to establish childcare centers across Eastern Washington. Kenney’s dedication to education and community development continued as she helped establish the Educational Institute for Rural Families in Pasco, Washington, and the Yakima Valley Farmworkers Health Centers, addressing critical needs in underserved communities. In 1976, Kenney transitioned to Seattle, where she began working for the Employment Security Department, eventually rising to the role of Assistant Commissioner. Despite her success in government administration, Kenney’s commitment to advocacy and community service remained unwavering. Although unsuccessful, in 1996 she made a bold move to enter the political arena, running for Washington’s Secretary of State position.

Undeterred by her initial setback, Kenney’s dedication to public service led to her appointment and subsequent election to represent the 46th District in the Washington State Legislature in 1997. Over the next 16 years, she served with distinction, championing a wide range of causes, including housing, education, healthcare access, and economic development. Kenney’s leadership extended to key legislative initiatives, such as sponsoring bills to expand educational opportunities for minority students, providing in-state tuition for undocumented students, and establishing programs supporting low-income and English as a Second Language (ESL) students.

Her advocacy also extended beyond the legislative chamber, as evidenced by her appointment to the Governor’s Aerospace Council and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Kenney’s tireless efforts were recognized nationally when President Obama highlighted the Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) Program, which she played a pivotal role in establishing, as a model program for ESL students. Following her retirement from the legislature in 2013, Kenney continued her commitment to community health and economic development, serving as Vice President of Leadership and Economic Development at Sea Mar Community Health Centers. Through her lifelong dedication to empowering marginalized communities and creating positive change, Phyllis Gutirréz Kenney has left an indelible mark on the state of Washington.