Tireless worker

Many consider her the matriarch of the Kootenai County Democratic Party. Others know her as a kindhearted friend who is always looking out for the welfare of all peoples. Still others know her to be a steward of the environment and tireless campaign worker.

Mary Lou Reed’s contributions were recently celebrated when the Kootenai County Democrats awarded her the Art Manley Lifetime Achievement Award during their annual North Idaho Democracy Dinner.

“Art Manley was Mary Lou’s mentor,” said Shirley Kenck, co-chairwoman of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. “She was so honored to receive the award named after him.”

Each year Kootenai County Democrats nominate members of the community for this prestigious award. The award is named for Manley, a former state senator and avid environmentalist who sponsored the bill that created the State Park Department and spent his life establishing parks and protecting wild areas.

Past recipients of the award are Manley himself, Buell and Donna Hollister, and Bliss Bignall.

“These nominees may not necessarily live lives that have achieved Art Manley’s exact accomplishments, but have lived their lives serving their community and the Democratic Party with the spirit, determination and personal ethics that work in concert with the principles of democracy,” said Bill Kersting, outgoing chairman of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee.

“The nominees are people who embrace the belief that the Democratic Party and its members can make the difference in the life of one child, one family, one state and one nation,” he said.

Reed and her husband, Scott, moved to North Idaho in 1955 to enjoy its beauty and recreational opportunities and to raise a family.

Reed had worked on Democratic campaigns in California and upon arrival immediately got involved in Kootenai County politics.

“I was a Democrat from the very beginning. My first vote was for Adlai Stevenson – the Democratic candidate for President in 1952. I was in love with him,” Reed said with a grin.

Reed briefly lived next door to the other presidential candidate – Dwight Eisenhower, who was president of Columbia University at the time – but she rooted for Stevenson.

The Reeds met Art Manley shortly after they arrived in Coeur d’Alene, and Manley promptly gathered them into the Wildlife Federation.

“We were fortunate enough to be found by Art and to fall in line with his passion for protecting land for the public to use,” said Reed. “He was our mentor and guide into civil affairs.

“Art was always there suggesting and discussing what we should be supporting,” Reed said. “Art was a firm leader, modest but with tough expectations.”

Manley served two years in the House and 12 years in the Senate, and Reed worked on each of his campaigns.

In 1982 Manley, Reed and Jeannie Givens, all Democrats, ran for office and were defeated.

“We had a great time even though we all three lost,” Reed said, smiling.

In 1984, Reed was talked into running again by Manley and Tony Stewart. Reed won the election against Dennis Carlson in 1985. “It was a tough countywide race in a landslide Ronald Reagan election year,” said Reed.

In 1992, redistricting took Reed to Shoshone County, and she fought a difficult primary race against Marty Calabretta and won.

From 1992 to 1994 Reed served as minority leader in the Senate and in 1994, became Senate assistant minority leader. Reed went on to serve a total of 12 years until her defeat by Jack Riggs in 1996.

“My first and lasting niche at the Legislature was the area of public education. Every one is created equal, but the starts children have are so unequal,” Reeds said. “That’s why we worked so hard for smaller classrooms for small people. Education is the tried and true ladder out of poverty and dissatisfaction. We need to help students place rungs on their ladders. I belong to the camp that believes education is the most important factor in a healthy economy – good jobs produce good customers.”

A fond memory for Reed was her involvement in all of Frank Church’s campaigns. Reed was the Kootenai County coordinator for the Church presidential campaign in 1976, and the campaign slogan was “It’s Idaho’s Turn.”

“Fifty years ago, in 1956, I stuffed envelopes for Frank Church – the father of the Wilderness Act – and had the opportunity to work on every one of his senatorial campaigns,” Reed said.

Reed was drawn into working on human rights by Tony Stewart, Bill Wassmuth and the reality of the Aryan Nations.

“When Bill Wassmuth’s home was bombed, we needed to pass legislation that addressed human rights,” Reed said. “The search for fairness and equality fuels the effort. It would be a great and peaceful world if everyone treated each other with dignity and respect.”

Reed served on the Idaho Humanities Council; is a former president and current board member of Friends of Head Start; founding member of the Harding Play Space Association; board member of Foundation Northwest, a community foundation that this year distributed more than $3 million to Spokane and Idaho communities; former board member Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater; co-founder Kootenai Environmental Alliance; board member Planned Parenthood; member of the Board of the Human Rights Education Institute; and member Kootenai Task Force on Human Relations.

“I have a profound trust in the value of the ballot box. I adhere to the Jeffersonian belief that human beings are for the most part inherently good and will make the right choices if they are given all the facts,” said Reed.

Reed shares her passion for life with her husband, a successful Coeur d’Alene attorney. “We are supportive of each other and agree on almost every position. He is the saint.” She has two grown children and one grandchild.

The Reeds dedication to environmental activism was acknowledged when they were named Environmentalists of the Year in the late ‘70’s. Reed helped start the Kootenai Environment Alliance and was also instrumental in founding the Idaho Conservation League.