Innovations in Leadership: The Legacy of Oswald West, Governor of Oregon 1911-1915

Gov. Oswald West was one of Oregon’s most colorful leaders.  His ability to identify key issues, brainstorm effective solutions and develop political consensus played a critical role in major accomplishments that have left a lasting legacy.  Because of Gov. West, women in Oregon were allowed to vote eight years before suffrage was achieved nationally.  His creative language laid the foundation for Oregon beaches to be public so that everyone can enjoy them, and that carried forward to the 1967 Oregon Beach Bill.  He was instrumental in bringing together management, labor and the grange to craft a no-fault workers’ compensation bill to replace the old employer liability law.  He rode his horse to the National Governor’s Convention in Idaho in order to save the taxpayers money.  He ate breakfast periodically with the inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary and later when one convicted murderer escaped, he personally tracked him down on horseback near Mary’s Peak.  

What can we learn from Gov. West?  There are lessons in leadership that may be useful as we think about leadership today.

This program will be presented by Rotary member Alison Kelley, a great-granddaughter of Gov. West.