Lucy W. Benson

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]

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)

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

1. "Benson-Wilson Vows Are Read". Arizona Republic. April 9, 1950. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
2. Presidency. 1978. ISBN 9780871871312. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
3. "Storied Lucy Wilson Benson recalled as 'fearless, formidable'". Daily Hampshire Gazette. July 31, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
4. "Washington Talk: Women in Government; The Pioneers", New York Times, Nov. 13, 1986
5. "Lucy Wilson Benson (1943), H1974". Amherst College. Amherst College. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
6. 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