Virginia Knauer
Encyclopedia
Virginia Harrington Knauer (née Wright; March 28, 1915 – October 16, 2011) was a American
Republican politician. She served as the Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs and Director of the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs (1969–1977 and 1981–1989). In 1960 she became the first woman to be elected to the Philadelphia City Council
, in which she served for eight years. She was appointed to the newly created post of chief consumer advisor to Pennsylvania Governor Raymond P. Shafer
. She was also the mentor and good friend of former North Carolina
Senior Senator
Elizabeth Dole
. Knauer died on October 16, 2011 in Washington, D.C. at the age of 96.
, where her father was a professor of accounting at Temple University
. She was educated at the Philadelphia High School for Girls
, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Pennsylvania
(graduated 1937); she also attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Republican politician. She served as the Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs and Director of the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs (1969–1977 and 1981–1989). In 1960 she became the first woman to be elected to the Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia City Council
The Philadelphia City Council, the legislative body of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, consists of ten members elected by district and seven members elected at-large. The council president is elected by the members from among their number...
, in which she served for eight years. She was appointed to the newly created post of chief consumer advisor to Pennsylvania Governor Raymond P. Shafer
Raymond P. Shafer
Raymond Philip Shafer served as the 39th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1967 to 1971. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor from 1963 to 1967...
. She was also the mentor and good friend of former North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
Senior Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Elizabeth Dole
Elizabeth Dole
Mary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole is an American politician who served in both the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidential administrations, as well as a United States Senator....
. Knauer died on October 16, 2011 in Washington, D.C. at the age of 96.
Early life and education
Knauer was born and grew up in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, where her father was a professor of accounting at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
. She was educated at the Philadelphia High School for Girls
Philadelphia High School for Girls
The Philadelphia High School for Girls, also known as Girls' High, is a public university-preparatory magnet high school for girls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As its name suggests, the school's enrollment is all female....
, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
(graduated 1937); she also attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy.