Ella T. Grasso American politician Date of Birth: 10.05.1919 Country: USA

1. Biography of Ella T. Grasso
2. Early Life and Education
3. Political Career
4. The Blizzard of 1978
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Ella T. Grasso

Ella Rose Tambussi, better known as Ella T. Grasso, was an American politician and the first woman elected as the Governor of Connecticut. She was born on May 10, 1919, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, to Italian immigrant parents Maria Oliva and Giacomo Tambussi. Contrary to popular belief, she was not the first woman elected as governor of an American state. However, Grasso was the first woman to become governor based on her own merits, rather than being the wife or widow of a former governor.

Early Life and Education

After graduating from high school, Ella attended Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1940 and her master's degree two years later. Upon completing her education, Ella worked as an assistant director of research at the Connecticut State War Manpower Commission.

Political Career

In 1952, Grasso successfully ran for the Connecticut House of Representatives, where she served until 1957. She became the first woman to lead her party in the House of Representatives in 1955. In 1958, she was elected as Connecticut's Secretary of the State and was reelected in 1962 and 1966. Grasso was also the first woman to chair the Democratic Party's Platform Committee from 1956 to 1968. She served on various committees and played a significant role in shaping the party's platforms.

In 1970, Grasso was elected as a representative of the Democratic Party for the 92nd Congress and was reelected in 1972. However, in 1974, she decided not to seek reelection and instead launched her campaign for the governorship of Connecticut, which she won. She took office on January 8, 1975, and was reelected for a second term in 1978.

The Blizzard of 1978

One of the highlights of Ella T. Grasso's career was her decisive actions during the devastating Blizzard of 1978. This storm, known as The Blizzard 78, brought approximately 30 inches of snow to the entire state. Highways were severely damaged, and other roads became nearly impassable. Grasso took a bold step by declaring a state of emergency, closing all public roads to businesses and citizens. She also ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses, keeping residents safe in their homes. This allowed the emergency services and rescue teams to focus on clearing the roads, without the added burden of rescuing stranded motorists. The crisis was overcome within three days, and Grasso's actions garnered approval from her constituents for her leadership and determination.

Personal Life and Legacy

Ella T. Grasso married Thomas Grasso in 1942, and they had two children, Susanne and James. She was a Catholic by faith. On December 31, 1980, Grasso resigned from the governorship due to illness, and she passed away on February 5, 1981, at the age of 61 from ovarian cancer. In the same year, President Ronald Reagan posthumously honored her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1993, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, and in 1994, she was included in the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame. The Ella Tambussi Grasso Center for Women in Politics is also located there, honoring her contributions to women in politics.