Jeanne Givens
Jeanne Givens (born c. 1951/1952) is an American politician who served in the Idaho House of Representatives from the 4th district as a member of the Democratic Party. She is a member of the Coeur d'Alene tribe and was the first Native American woman elected to the Idaho House of Representatives. Givens was also the first Native American woman to run for a seat in the United States Congress.
Jeanne Givens | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Idaho House of Representatives from the 4th district - Seat A | |
| In office 1985–1989 | |
| Succeeded by | Marvin Vandenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jeanne Iyall c. 1951/1952 Plummer, Idaho, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ray Givens |
Givens was born in Plummer, Idaho, and was raised in San Jose, California and on the Coeur d'Alene reservation in Plummer. She is related to multiple prominent members of the Coeur d'Alene tribe. In the 1980s she was appointed to multiple board positions by Governor John Evans and unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives in 1982, before winning in 1984. In 1988, and 1990, she ran in Idaho's 1st congressional district for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, but was defeated both times.
During her tenure in the Idaho House of Representatives she served on the Indian Affairs, Business, Education, and Health and Welfare committees.