From collection Candidates
Dr. Nena J. Croake was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1912. She ran as a Progressive. She represented Tacoma (District 37) for one term, until 1915. She ran against five male candidates. Croake had been a leader of the Washington state woman suffrage movement and used women's networks in her campaign, as well as appearing at public debates. Her campaign slogan was: "Consideration for Women is a Measure of the Nation's Progress." Her election was unsuccessfully challenged by one of her rival candidates. In the legislature she served on committees concerned with education, health care, mining, and veterans. She sponsored bills to provide for a minimum wage for women and girls. Croake was born in Illinois. Around 1890 she married John B. Croake in Victoria, B.C. who was a former Pierce County Deputy Sheriff, and a former District Customs Collector in Victoria. He died during her term of office and she did not file for re-election. Croake held leadership positions in Tacoma and Washington State suffrage associations. She founded the Tacoma Women's Study Club in 1899.
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