Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Mayor Karen Vialle Papers
Date(s)
- 1944 - 2011 (Creation)
Extent
2 boxes
(1.5 cubic foot)
179 MB
Name of creator
Biographical history
Karen Vialle was born in Tacoma in 1943 to Leo and Arline Ristvet. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1961 and from the University of Puget Sound in 1963. In 1988, she launched her first run for office and was elected to the Tacoma City Council. In 1990, she became the first woman elected Mayor of Tacoma, serving in the role until 1994. She was elected to the Tacoma Public Schools Board of Directors in 2011 and 2017. She also served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Puget Sound, a consultant for the Puyallup and Muckleshoot tribal school systems, a substitute teacher, executive director of Centro Latino, assistant director of the State Budget Office, and deputy chief for the State Insurance Commissioner. In 2019, former Mayor Marilyn Strickland credited Vialle for making it possible for other women and diverse candidates to run for office in Tacoma. As Mayor, Vialle arranged for the purchase and cleanup of the Foss Waterway and led urban renewal and mass transit projects.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
Includes photographs, correspondence, reports, speeches, VHS tapes, and other material related to Vialle's roles as an educator and the first woman to serve as Mayor of Tacoma.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Languages of the material
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Initial acquisition was acquired from Marvin Vialle in May 2021.
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Accural transferred from Marvin Vialle in November 2021.