Julia Butler Hansen day

To The Eagle,

Saturday, June 14, we celebrate Flag Day and Julia Butler Hansen’s 118th birthday, the Cathlamet Woman’s Club “most distinguished member.” Julia was a third generation Cathlamet resident. She was the first woman to serve on Cathlamet City Council and was a Washington State Legislator. She was also the first woman to head the Washington State Highways Commission. In 1951, Julia was the first female member of the Eleven Western Inter States Highway Commission. In 1956, she became one of the most authoritative highway spokesman experts in America. In 1960, she was elected to the United States Congress representing the 3rd District. Julia never forgot her roots or the people in her community. It is noted that Julia, “was raised with one fundamental belief that every American had an obligation to serve in some way. It didn’t matter how you served but you should serve your country or community.” She credited her mother, Maude Butler, and grandmother, Julia Ann Kimball for instilling the principle of serving your country or community.

By proclamation, the honorable Mayor David Olson designated June 14, 2025 as “Julia Butler Hansen Day.” This year, the Cathlamet Woman’s Club honors Julia’s legacy of dedicated service by acknowledging members of the community who exemplify the volunteer spirit. We invite the community to the Julia Butler Hansen Heritage Home (35 Butler St.) garden area for the Rose Ceremony in honor of Wahkiakum Shoeboxes of Joy and Cathlamet Woman’s Club 2024 Citizen of the Year Season Long. The Julia Butler Hansen Historic Home will be open for tours after the ceremony. There will be a Flag Raising Ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Cathlamet Library entrance area. Refreshments will be served afterward, and author John C. Hughes will be doing a book signing at the Pioneer Center Meeting Room (125 Columbia St.

“Living the Volunteer Spirit”

Caroline Walton

GFWC-Cathlamet Woman’s Club