Nancy A. Ryles | |
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Nancy Ryles talking with Tom Marsh in 1979
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Member of the Oregon House of Representatives, then District 5 | |
In office 1979–1982 |
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Preceded by | Tom Marsh |
Succeeded by | Ted Calouri, now District 7 |
Constituency | Washington County |
Oregon State Senator, District 3 | |
In office 1983–1987 |
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Preceded by | none (newly created district) |
Succeeded by | Bill Bloom |
Constituency | Washington County |
Member of the Oregon Public Utility Commission | |
In office 1987–1990 |
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Personal details | |
Born |
Nancy Ann Wyly December 18, 1937 Portland, Oregon |
Died | September 12, 1990 | (aged 52)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Vern Ryles (1957–1990) |
Children | 2 |
Nancy Ann Ryles (December 18, 1937 – September 12, 1990) was an Oregon politician. She served in the Oregon House of Representatives, the Oregon Senate and as one of three members of the state's Public Utility Commission. She was known as an advocate for education and for equality for women and minorities. An elementary school in Beaverton is named after her.
She was born as Nancy Ann Wyly in 1937 in Portland, Oregon. She graduated from Jefferson High in Northeast Portland and was chosen as Portland Rose Festival Queen in 1955. In 1957, she married Vernon B. Ryles Jr. (1937–2013) and became Nancy Ryles. She attended Willamette University and Portland State University, but did not graduate from college.
Nancy Ryles served on the Beaverton school board from 1972 to 1978, as well as on the State Advisory Council for Career and Vocational Education. The Oregon Education Association gave her its Human Rights Award in 1974. She was named Beaverton's "First Citizen" in 1979.
Ryles was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1978, succeeding Tom Marsh, and serving what was then House District 5 (but which became District 7 after a legislative reapportionment plan approved by the Oregon Legislature in 1981). In 1982, she was elected to the Oregon State Senate, District 3—a newly created district formed from portions of other districts (including about half of former Senate District 5). She served two terms in each chamber of the Oregon Legislature, and in both chambers was appointed to serve on the Education Commission of the States.