Marian Bergeson

Former Secretary of Education, State Senator, and State Assemblymember,

State of California

Marian Bergeson was the former California secretary of education, state senator, and state assemblymember. She was the first woman to serve in both houses of the California State Legislature. Bergeson also served on the Orange County board of supervisors and the Newport-Mesa Unified School District board of education, where she earned recognition for her expertise in school finance and policy development and was elected president of the California School Boards Association. Her numerous accolades include the UCI Medal of Honor, the National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian of the Year award, and the Liberty Bell Award from the Orange County Bar Association. Her extensive public service career also included serving on the state board of education. Bergeson’s contributions to education and community leadership are commemorated through institutions named in her honor, such as Marian Bergeson Elementary School in Laguna Niguel and the Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center at Corona del Mar High School. She received her BA in elementary education from Brigham Young University and an honorary JD from Pepperdine University.

updated 2016

Publications by Marian Bergeson