1. Edwynne Cutler "Polly" Rosenbaum was a teacher and politician who was Arizona's longest-serving state legislator, representing Gila County in the Arizona House of Representatives for 46 years.
18 Facts About Polly Rosenbaum
1. 2.
Polly Rosenbaum was born Edwynne Cutler in Ollie, Iowa, in 1899.
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Polly Rosenbaum moved to Colorado as a child and attended the University of Colorado, where she graduated in 1922 with a bachelor's degree in history and political science.
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Polly Rosenbaum taught school in Iowa, Colorado, and in Lusk, Wyoming, and undertook graduate study at the University of Southern California, which awarded her a master's degree in education in 1929.
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Polly Rosenbaum supplemented her teacher's pay by working as a secretary for the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company.
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When her husband died unexpectedly in 1949 after 22 years in the legislature, Polly Rosenbaum was appointed to fill the remainder of her husband's term, taking office on January 12,1949.
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Polly Rosenbaum retired from the legislature at the age of 95 after losing the November 1994 election to a political newcomer who benefited from redistricting and an anti-incumbency mood.
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Polly Rosenbaum was chairman of the House Administration Committee for 16 years and later was chairman of the House Education Committee.
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Polly Rosenbaum was noted for her commitment to the interests of women.
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Polly Rosenbaum is credited with getting spittoons removed from the House chambers and barring the wearing of miniskirts by its female pages.
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At the time of her departure from the Arizona legislature at age 95, Polly Rosenbaum was still known for her high energy level, almost always climbing the stairs to her third-floor office instead of using the elevator.
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Polly Rosenbaum remained active for the rest of her life.
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Polly Rosenbaum died from congestive heart failure at age 104 on December 28,2003.
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Polly Rosenbaum was the recipient of many honors and awards during her long life, as well as some posthumous honors.
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Polly Rosenbaum was Globe's Business and Professional Woman of the Year in 1960 and the Gila County Woman of the Year in 1974.
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Polly Rosenbaum is the namesake of two state government buildings in Phoenix.
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The Polly Rosenbaum Building is an historic building that houses the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum.
18.
The Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest is conducted each year by the Arizona Educational Foundation, stimulating and recognizing creative writing by students in grades 7 through 12.