Williams began her political career while serving as a precinct committee officer.
In 1962, she became the first woman to chair the King County Democrats as well as any other major political party in a large metropolitan area in the country.

In 1969, she won a seat on the Seattle City Council where she would serve for twenty years after five consecutive re-elections.
Williams introduced some of the first legislation to prohibit employment and housing discrimination against gays and lesbians in the city.
She pushed for additional laws giving the same protections to transgender people.
Councilman Tom Rasmussen noted that Williams "fought for women's rights and the rights of gay and lesbian people long before it was acceptable, when it was a very courageous and risky thing to do."

In 1972, Williams formed the Seattle Women's Commission to advise the mayor, city council, and city departments on issues that impact women in Seattle.
During her tenure, she lobbied the federal government for funding for the construction of the West Seattle Bridge and led and supported many efforts related to Seattle parks.
She introduced legislation to convert Kubota Garden to a city park and promoted the preservation of the Sand Point Naval Air Station as Magnuson Park.
Williams began her political career while serving as a precinct committee officer. In 1962, she became the first woman to chair the King County Democrats as well as any other major political party in a large metropolitan area in the country.
In 1969, she won a seat on the Seattle City Council where she would serve for twenty years after five consecutive re-elections. Williams introduced some of the first legislation to prohibit employment and housing discrimination against gays and lesbians in the city. She pushed for additional laws giving the same protections to transgender people. Councilman Tom Rasmussen noted that Williams "fought for women's rights and the rights of gay and lesbian people long before it was acceptable, when it was a very courageous and risky thing to do."
In 1972, Williams formed the Seattle Women's Commission to advise the mayor, city council, and city departments on issues that impact women in Seattle. During her tenure, she lobbied the federal government for funding for the construction of the West Seattle Bridge and led and supported many efforts related to Seattle parks. She introduced legislation to convert Kubota Garden to a city park and promoted the preservation of the Sand Point Naval Air Station as Magnuson Park.
Jeanette Williams