Jean Godden Subject Files, 2004-2015

Jean Godden served three terms on the Seattle City Council from 2004-2015. In August of 2003, Jean quit her job as a city columnist for the Seattle Times to successfully run for Council. In 2015, she was defeated by Rob Johnson during the switch to geographic council districts.

Godden was born in 1931. She attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, later graduating from the University of Washington's School of Communications. Her official biography as a councilmember stated that "Jean was born into a nomadic military family; her father made maps and charts for the U.S. government, completing surveys for the Tennessee Valley Administration. They lived in 116 towns and cities before she arrived in Seattle at age 17."

Prior to her election to City Council, Godden was active in Seattle politics and community organizations. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters, Citizens Against Freeways (stopping the R. H. Thomson Freeway through the Arboretum), the Municipal League, and the United Way. Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman appointed Godden to the Charter Review Committee (circa 1969). She also served on the Board of Adjustment, which considered zoning variances. In a data sheet from 1972 for the Board of Adjustment her memberships include: "Formerly Public Relations Chairman, League of Women Voters; Past Director, Lake City Community Club; Member, Mayor's Charter Review Committee, 1971; Member, Municipal League; Member, UGN Task Force on Community Councils."

Godden chaired several council committees, including the Finance and Budget Committee, the Special Budget Committee, and the Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries and Gender Pay Equity committee. Godden was co-chair of the Waterfront Committee, which was involved in the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project.