SPRINGFIELD — When former state Sen. Linda Melconian checks off items on her bucket list, writing a book about the first woman in American history to be elected governor in her own right is near the top of her to-do list.

“I always wanted to write a book about my esteemed mentor, Ella Grasso,” the former senator told The Republican.

“I admired her greatly and tried to emulate her in my 23 years of public service,” she continued.

Melconian is just out with her new book about Grasso, who served as governor of Connecticut from 1975 to 1980.

Several women served as governors of their states because their husbands retired or died in office. Grasso is also the first female governor to not be the spouse or widow of a former governor.

“Ella Grasso: The First of the Firsts,” is a 204-page chro

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