Citizen Jean: Riots, Rogues, Rumors, and Other Inside Seattle Stories

Jean Godden lived in more than 100 cities and towns before she moved to Seattle. It was simply “the most spectacular place” she had ever seen. There, she married, finished her schooling, raised her children, and spent two decades as a reporter, editor, and columnist with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Seattle Times. It also was where she served as an activist and city councilmember, working toward reducing the country’s largest gender wage gap and championing paid parental leave.

Godden witnessed historic events, watched Seattle evolve into a civic and national affairs leader, met city and state movers and shakers, and became a local celebrity herself. In Citizen Jean, the consummate observer recounts--as only she can--the World’s Fair that got Seattle noticed, the citizen-led battle against freeways, the fight to keep Pike Place Market away from New York investors, the World Trade Organization protests, and more. She shares personal insights, delivers an insider’s view of the city’s newspaper strikes and rivalry, and casts a revealing look at regional politicians.

“For years, those of us who love our city have taken special pleasure that Jean was there with us, notebook in hand, pencil poised, madly scribbling what would become, in print, the most clever, insightful and profound reflections on the place we call home. From her first days as a reporter, to her days on the city council and beyond, Jean Godden and her ubiquitous notebook have been the essential guide to life in Seattle.”--from the Foreword by Leonard Garfield, Executive Director, Museum of History and Industry

Jean Godden worked as a reporter, editor, and/or columnist at two major Seattle newspapers, living and writing through momentous times. She became a community activist and was elected to the Seattle City Council, Position One. Across multiple terms, she worked with three Seattle mayors to help improve the city. Now semi-retired, she writes for Westside Seattle and hosts a local radio program. She remains active and involved in current affairs, and still loves Seattle.