Elizabeth Orr Shaw (October 2, 1923 – July 23, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician. A Republican, she served in the Iowa House of Representatives for the 43rd district from 1967 to 1971 and for the 78th district from 1971 to 1973. She was a member of the Iowa Senate for the 40th district from 1973 to 1977.
Early life
Shaw was born on October 2, 1923, in Monona, Iowa. Her parents were Harold T. and Hazel Kean Orr.[1][2] She received a bachelor of arts degree from Drake University in 1945, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.[1] She also earned a masters of arts degree in public administration from the University of Minnesota in 1946.[1][2] She attended the University of Iowa Law School, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif, graduating with her J.D. in 1948. She practiced law in Davenport, Iowa, and was a member of the Scott County Crime Commission. In 1946, she married Donald H. Shaw and the couple had three children: Elizabeth Ann, Andrew Hardy and Anthony Orr.[1]
Political career
Shaw was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives for the 43rd district in 1966, serving as a representative for the Republican Party between January 9, 1967, and January 10, 1971. She was a representative for the 78th district from January 11, 1971, to January 7, 1973. Shaw was a representative for the 40th district in the Iowa Senate from January 8, 1973, to October 1, 1977.[1] She was assistant minority leader during her final term in the Senate.[1][2]
