Former Washington Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn died today of a blood clot. She served six terms in Congress before stepping aside in 2004. She was quite the political pioneer in Washington state.

Excerpt:

Dunn’s political career was a series of firsts: first woman to chair the Washington State Republican Party; first freshman woman to win a place in the House Republican leadership team; and the highest ranking Republican woman in leadership as the vice chair of the conference.

(AP photo)