Lucy W. Benson

American government official (1927–2021)

Lucy W. Benson

Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs
In office March 28, 1977 – January 5, 1980
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Carlyle E. Maw
Succeeded by	Matthew Nimetz
Massachusetts Secretary of Human Services
In office 1975–1977
Governor	Michael Dukakis
Preceded by	Peter C. Goldmark Jr.
Succeeded by	Jerald Stevens

Personal details
Born	Lucy Peters Wilson (1927-08-25)August 25, 1927 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	July 17, 2021(2021-07-17) (aged 93) Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.
Spouse	Bruce Buzzell Benson (m. 1950; died 1990) ^[1]
Parent	Willard O. Wilson (father)

Lucy Peters Wilson Benson (August 25, 1927 – July 17, 2021)^[2]^[3] was an American government official who served as the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs from 1977 to 1980. When Benson was named to this post, it was the highest position ever held by a woman in the United States Department of State.^[4]

Prior to joining the State Department, Benson served as President of the League of Women Voters (1968 to 1974) and Massachusetts Secretary of Human Services from 1975 to 1977.^[5] She has also been a member of the Lafayette College Board of Trustees since 1985.^[6]

References

^ "Benson-Wilson Vows Are Read". Arizona Republic. April 9, 1950. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
^ Presidency. 1978. ISBN 9780871871312. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
^ "Storied Lucy Wilson Benson recalled as 'fearless, formidable'". Daily Hampshire Gazette. July 31, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
^ "Washington Talk: Women in Government; The Pioneers", New York Times, Nov. 13, 1986
^ "Lucy Wilson Benson (1943), H1974". Amherst College. Amherst College. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
^ Gendebien, Albert W. (1986). The Biography of a College: A History of Lafayette College 1927 - 1978. Easton, PA: Lafayette College.

External links

Lucy Wilson Benson and Bruce B. Benson (AC 1943) Family Papers at the Amherst College Archives & Special Collections

Political offices
Preceded by Carlyle E. Maw	Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs March 28, 1977–January 5, 1980	Succeeded by Matthew Nimetz
Preceded by Peter C. Goldmark Jr.	Massachusetts Secretary of Human Services 1975–1977	Succeeded by Jerald Stevens
Preceded by Julia Davis Stuart	President of the League of Women Voters 1968–1974	Succeeded by Ruth Clusen

United States Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs

Under Secretary of State for
International Security Affairs
1972–1993

Under Secretary of State for Arms
Control and International Security Affairs
1993–present

v t e First Cabinet of Governor Michael Dukakis (1975–79)
Lieutenant Governor	Thomas P. O'Neill III (1975–79)
Secretary of Administration and Finance	John R. Buckley (1975–79)
Secretary of Environmental Affairs	Evelyn Murphy (1975–79)
Secretary of Public Safety	Charles V. Barry (1975–79)
Secretary of Human Services	Lucy W. Benson (1975) Jerald Stevens (1975–79)
Secretary of Transportation	Frederick P. Salvucci (1975–79)
Secretary of Elder Affairs	Rose Caffey (1975–77) James H. Callahan (1977–79)
Secretary of Communities and Development	William G. Flynn (1975–79)
Secretary of Consumer Affairs	Lola Dickerman (1975–76) Christine Sullivan (1976–79)
Secretary of Economic Affairs	Howard N. Smith (1977–79)
Secretary of Energy	Henry Lee (1975–79)
Secretary of Education	Paul Parks (1975–79)

v t e Cabinet of Governor Francis W. Sargent (1969–75)
Lieutenant Governor	Donald Dwight (1971–75)
Commissioner of Administration and Finance	Charles E. Shepard (1971) Robert Yasi (1971–72) William I. Cowin (1972–74) David Marchand (1974–75)
Secretary of Environmental Affairs	Charles H. W. Foster (1971–75)
Secretary of Public Safety	Richard E. McLaughlin (1971–75)
Secretary of Human Services	Peter C. Goldmark, Jr. (1971–74) Lucy W. Benson (1974–75)
Secretary of Transportation	Alan A. Altshuler (1972–75)
Secretary of Elder Affairs	Jack Leff (1971–74) Rose Claffey (1974–75)
Secretary of Communities and Development	Thomas I. Atkins (1971–75)
Secretary of Consumer Affairs	William I. Cowin (1971–72) John R. Verani (1972–75)
Secretary of Energy	Henry Lee (1971–75)
Secretary of Education	Joseph M. Cronin (1971–74)
Secretary of Manpower Affairs	Mary B. Newman (1971–75)

Authority control databases
International	FAST VIAF
National	United States
Other	NARA

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