Irene E. Ryan | |
|---|---|
 Irene Ryan in 1973 | |
| Born | Irene Esther Irvine September 10, 1909 Boston, Massachusetts, US |
| Died | November 23, 1997 (aged 88) |
| Resting place | Angelus Memorial Park 61°06′53″N 149°52′08″W / 61.1147°N 149.8688°W |
| Education | B.S. in Geology |
| Alma mater | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. |
| Known for | Geologist, politician |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | John Edward "Pat" Ryan |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | George Sharrock (in-law) |
Irene Esther Ryan (née Irvine; September 10, 1909 – November 23, 1997) was an American geologist, aviator, and legislator during Alaska's history as both a United States territory and as a U.S. state. She was a member of the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives and of the Alaska State Senate. She was instrumental in the creation of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which helped insure state revenue from oil and gas exploration done by outside entities.
Ryan was involved with the creation of the Anchorage International Airport. She was the first female pilot to solo in the Territory of Alaska, and the first woman to earn a geology degree from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. She was inducted into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame in 2011.