Sweeney, Nellie

In 1904 Nellie Sweeney was elected as County Superintendent of Schools for San Juan County, Washington. She served in the office through 1912.  Sweeney was a recent graduate of the Whatcom Normal school, but it is unclear whether she had taught in Washington schools. There were challenges to her right to be on the election ballot, as she did not hold the "first-grade certificate" required by state law. However, the state attorney general ruled that completion of the five-year program at the state Normal school fulfilled the needed qualifications for the office of County Superintendent of Schools.