biographical statement

Linda Bebko-Jones served the 1st District, Erie County, as a Democratic Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1993 to 2006. As the first woman elected from the 1st District to serve in the House of Representatives, she focused on bills that brought awareness and change to many important social issues. Ms. Bebko-Jones was born on May 1, 1946, in Erie, PA. After graduating from the Villa Maria Academy for Girls in 1964, she attended the Erie Business School. Following the completion of her education, Ms. Bebko-Jones worked as a caseworker at the Community House for Women in Erie, an experience, coupled with her personal battle with alcoholism, which would strongly influence her future legislative actions. In addition to counseling women and children with drug and alcohol issues, Ms. Bebko-Jones also served as the Executive Director of Women Against Sexual Harassment (W.A.S.H). After overcoming some gender adversity in her early campaigns, Ms. Bebko-Jones was elected to a House seat in 1992. Representative Bebko-Jones served on a number of important committees that were critical to her platform and interests: the Health and Welfare Committee (1993-2006), the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee (1993-2006), the State Government Committee (1993-2006), the Insurance Committee (2001-2006), and the Liquor Control Committee (2003-2006). She also served as the Democratic Chairwoman for Substance Abuse during her time with the House of Representatives. In addition to serving on these committees, Ms. Bebko-Jones continued to champion substance abuse awareness and women’s issues. One of the most influential bills that Ms. Bebko-Jones introduced and co-sponsored was the Stalker Legislation (House Bill 3, Act 28 of 1993), which recognized stalking as a criminal act and helped to protect Pennsylvanians from dangerous predators. She was devoted to the idea of innovation and making a difference, as well as believing in yourself and your constituents: “…it has to be in your gut, your heart, and your head that you truly believe ... you can make a difference.” (Oral History Interview, conducted on Nov. 13, 2006)

Linda Bebko-Jones passed away on November 20, 2011 in the city of Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania and is interred in Calvary Cemetery, city of Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania.

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