Jennifer Belcher (original) (raw)

Jennifer Emerson Belcher (née Marion; January 4, 1944 – March 31, 2022) was an American politician who was the first woman to serve as Washington commissioner of public lands from 1993 to 2001. Belcher previously represented the 22nd district in the Washington House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993. Her major legislative achievements include subsidizing childcare for state employees and furthering equal pay for women in state government. As commissioner of public lands, she oriented the Washington State Department of Natural Resources toward conservation.