Ella Tambussi Grasso

Grasso, Ella Tambussi (1919–81), first U.S. woman governor (Connecticut, 1975–81) elected in her own right, not in succession to a husband. Previously Connecticut secretary of state (1959–70) and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1971–75), she cut spending to revive the state's economy. She resigned because of ill health.