- Oregon State Representative, 1977-1983.
- Oregon State Senator, 1983-2003.
- Oregon Senate President Pro Tempore, 1993-1995.
About Yih
Mae Yih was born Chih Feng Dunn in Shanghai, China. She described her childhood as sheltered and privileged. In 1948 she moved to the United States to attend Barnard College. In New York City she met Steve Yih and they married in 1953.
The Yihs moved to Albany, Oregon in 1956. Yih’s public service began with her sons’ school and she eventually served on the local school board.
In 1976, the Democratic Party approached her to run for the Oregon legislature. She campaigned door to door and won a seat in the House of Representatives. In total, she served 26 years in the legislature – six in the House and 20 in the Senate. She became known as a tireless and effective advocate for her constituents.
In the interview, Yih discusses her work in both the Oregon House and Oregon Senate. She shares details on several pieces of legislation, including the birth certificate bill (1981); enterprise zone bill (1985); Willamette River scientific study (1989); and covered bridges bill (1989).
– Interview recorded October 16, 2024