Home > Carnegie Center > Arizona Women's Hall of Fame > Inductees > Rosenbaum, Polly
Polly Rosenbaum
1899 - 2003
Inducted in 2006
Used by permission from the Arizona State Library, Archives
and Public Records
Born in Iowa and reared in Colorado, Polly Rosenbaum earned a degree in
history and political science from the University of Colorado and a master’s
in education from the University of Southern California. In 1929,
Arizona became her adopted state. After teaching in Hayden, and working
as secretary at Inspiration Copper Company, Polly took a stenographer position
at the state capitol. In 1939, she married William “Rosey” Rosenbaum,
Gila County Representative and later Speaker of the House. Following
Rosey’s death in 1949, Polly was appointed to his House seat and
then gained re-election every two years until 1994. For an unprecedented
forty-five years, she capably and energetically represented her constituents,
becoming Arizona’s longest serving legislator.
Rosenbaum served under twelve governors and fifteen House speakers; and
between 1973 and 1995, was Speaker Pro Tem on opening day of the
legislature. Many lawmakers considered her “the most influential
person at the state legislature,” respected by Democrats and Republicans
alike. She chaired the House Administration Committee for 16 years,
keeping a firm rein on House finances. She also championed education
and libraries, believing that both rural and urban Arizona needed strong
libraries and schools. She chaired and served on the Education Committee
for a number of years and passed a bill in 1964 providing education for
homebound students. In 1982, her colleagues honored Polly with a
resolution and title: “First Lady of the Arizona Legislature.”
During her legislative career, she rarely accepted political contributions. She
campaigned by circulating petitions and purchasing a few ads in newspapers
during the early years when her district included Hayden, Winkelman, Christmastown,
and part of Globe. One year, she spent only $100 campaigning. Later
after redistricting, her district included parts of 8 counties, and she
used direct mailing.
Through her work establishing the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame,
she hoped to demonstrate women’s impact in the state. “The
women really won the West, not the men. The women are the ones who
got the libraries and worked for the schools,” she said. Despite
women’s many contributions, Rosenbaum realized females still faced
discrimination. In 1968, as the Equal Rights Amendment was debated
nationwide, she worked with a group of women lawmakers to make the Arizona
state constitution gender neutral. Although Rosenbaum never voted
in favor of the ERA, she and the other female legislators pushed through
legislation to amend the state constitution establishing equal rights for
men and women.
Enthusiastic, gracious, and generous, Polly became an unofficial protector
of our heritage, advising on the old Capitol Museum and Carnegie Library
restorations, and leading the fight to acquire a permanent home for Arizona
Mining & Mineral Museum. She received countless awards and
honors; a state building carries her name; the “Polly Award” and
the “Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest” continue the good work
she began.
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