dixy lee ray (september 3, 1914 – january 2, 1994) was an american scientist and politician. she was the 17th governor of the u.s. state of washington. she was the state's first female governor and was in office during the 1980 eruption of mount st. helens. she was defeated in the democratic primary in 1980 by jim mcdermott, who in turn lost the gubernatorial election to john spellman.