Washington

Inhabited by Native Americans who relied heavily on fishing, the first Europeans who arrived in the Pacific northwest state of Washington were the Spanish in 1775. Gradually, Europeans started settling in parts of the state, and the population grew, allowing it to become admitted to the Union on November 11, 1889. Washington was named after U.S. president George Washington and is the only U.S. state named after a president.

Many Native Americans in Washington State retain aspects of their traditional lifestyles. Most have large extended families with older relatives being able to pass on their skills to new mothers for maternity, birthing, and bringing up children. By contrast, initially many of the white settlers came individually or in small families, although over time, in a predominantly rural state, these were also able to build up extended families.

The current population of the state is 6,549,224 (2008 estimate), with 50.2 percent being female (compared to the national average of 50.7 percent). The birth rate is 13.6 and the fertility rate is 1.98 children per woman. The average number of people per household is 2.53, only slightly lower than the national average. Contraception and family planning advice is readily available throughout the state, which since 1970, has allowed abortion on demand.

Overall the population of Washington is relatively prosperous, with the median household income in 2007 being about 10 percent more than the national average, although 11.4 percent of people are living below the poverty line. It is also worth pointing out that even before statehood, in 1871 Washington was one of three territories or states that introduced compulsory education for students between the age of 8 and 17, with only two states having previously introduced these provisions.

The hospital system in Washington, especially in major cities such as Seattle, the state capital, is excellent. A medical school was opened at the University of Washington in 1946, which is now the University of Washington Medical Center, ranked by the U.S. News and World Report as one of the best 10 hospitals in the United States. The College of Nursing at Seattle University (founded 1891) is [Page 1264]also widely acclaimed because of its work on maternity care and research into birthing.

There has been a long tradition of women and mothers having their own careers as well as looking after children and the household. Mary Maxwell Gates, mother of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, was on the board of directors of the First Interstate Bank of Washington, the first woman to hold that position, combining that work and charitable duties with raising three children. There have also been two female governors of the state. Dixy Lee Ray was from a family of five girls, and although she never married, her ability to become governor (1977–81) inspired many women. Christine Gregoire became governor in 2005, and has raised two children while holding a successful political career and battling cancer.