Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

Educators who have also served in political positions, either appointed or elected.

Teacher Katie Hall: First African American woman from Indiana elected to US House of Reps

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Former social studies teacher Katie Hall was the first African American woman to be elected from Indiana to serve in the US House of Representatives. Photo credit: Public Domain

A successful career in the classroom can prepare an individual for success as a politician. One teacher who proved this to be true was Katie Hall, a social studies teacher from Indiana who was the first African American woman to be elected from Indiana to serve in the US House of Representatives.

Katie was born on April 3, 1938, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. As a young girl, she attended public schools in her home town. After her high school graduation, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, in 1960. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1968. She inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position as a social studies teacher in a public school in Gary, Indiana. She worked as a teacher in the district until 2004.

Katie served as the Chairwoman of the Lake County Democratic Committee from 1978 to 1980, and the Chairwoman of the 1980 Indiana Democratic Convention. She launched her own career in politics when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Indiana State House of Representatives, where she represented the 5th District from 1974 to 1976. Next, she was elected to the Indiana State Senate, where she represented the 3rd District from 1976 to 1982.

Then Katie was elected to the US House of Representatives, where she represented Indiana’s 1st District from 1982 to 1985. She was the first African American woman from Indiana to be elected to the US Congress. While in office, Katie sponsored legislation to make the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a national holiday. Pres. Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law on Nov. 2, 1983. Katie also concentrated on issues related to education, labor, and women’s issues, and she became involved in the fight to alleviate famine in Africa after witnessing widespread suffering during a Congressional trip to northern Ethiopia. The former teacher also supported a variety of measures designed to bring jobs and better opportunities to her urban, industrial district, and to direct federal resources to help families struggling with debt, bankruptcy, and addiction.

Sadly, Katie Hall contracted heart disease and passed away on Feb. 20, 2012, in Gary, Indiana. She was 73 years old.

Former English teacher Winifred McDonald served as Connecticut’s Sec of State

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Former Connecticut English teacher Winifred McDonald also served as Connecticut Secretary of State. Photo credit: Public Domain

Many excellent educators have also served as able politicians. One of these was Winifred McDonald, a former school teacher who also served as Connecticut’s Secretary of State.

Winifred was born on June 8, 1888, in Waterbury Connecticut. Sadly, Winifred was orphaned when she was a child. Nevertheless, as a young girl, she attended parochial schools.

Once she earned her high school diploma, Winifred enrolled at Saint Elizabeth University, a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in Convent Station, Morris Township, New Jersey. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in 1910. During her college years, Winifred completed an extensive study of social conditions in New York City, particularly those related to child welfare.

After completed her college degree, Winifred returned to Connecticut where she accepted a position as an English teacher at Ansonia High School, a public four-year high school located in Ansonia. She also taught at Crosby High School, a public high school in the East End section of Waterbury.

The exemplary teacher became involved in politics when she was selected to be a member of the Democratic State Central Committee representing the 15th Senate District. She was also a member of the Waterbury Democratic Town Committee. In 1947 she served as the Vice Chair of the Town Committee, and in 1954 she was named the Chair of the organization. In addition to her work on the Democratic State Central Committee, Winifred served as President of the New Haven County Democratic Federated Women’s Club, and she was named the President of the Saint Elizabeth College Alumna Association.

In 1948, Winifred, described as a “pert, smallish woman with flashing eyes and an iron-grey bob,” decided to run for the elected position of Connecticut Secretary of State. She won the campaign by a narrow margin, and held the post from 1949 to 1951. While serving, she was particularly interested in child welfare and housing. In addition, she urged local officials to extend voting hours to allow Jewish voters to get to the polls after sunset, when the annual observance of Yom Kippur had concluded.

Winifred passed away on Feb. 23, 1976, at Waterbury Hospital. She was 87 years old. She is interred at the new Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in Waterbury.

Former teacher Ashley Gantt elected to the Florida House of Reps

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Many classroom teachers have gone on to become successful politicians. One is Ashley Gantt, a high school English teacher who has just been elected to the Florida State House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Ashley Gantt

Many dedicated classroom teachers have gone on to become successful politicians. One of these is Ashley Gantt, a high school English teacher who has just been elected to the Florida State House of Representatives.

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida in 2007. After serving for two ears in the Mississippi Delta Corps of Teach For America, she taught middle school and high school in the Miami Date County Public School system. Her career as an educator there spanned six years.

Next, Ashley decided to attend law school. She enrolled in the Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad College of Law, where she completed her Juris Doctorate in 2016. While at law school, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the University of Florida Association of Black Alumni. Upon her admission to the Florida Bar, Ashley became a Broward County Assistant Public Defender, serving the citizens of Broward County for over two years. She is now in private practice.

On Nov. 8, 2022, Ashley was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 109 in the Florida State House of Representatives. Her term will expire on Nov. 5, 2024. While in office, Ashley intends to place a priority on improving equity in public education, criminal justice reform, addressing South Florida’s affordable housing crisis, supporting small businesses and job creation, boosting access to eco-friendly public transportation, and environmental protection.

Even though Ashley is no longer teaching in the public schools, she still serves as an educator. She is an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Nova Southeastern University College of Law. She is also a fellow of the William Reece Smith, Jr., Leadership Academy. As if all the were not enough, she represents District 2 as a member on the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust in Miami Dade County; as a board member for the Gwen Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association; and as the President of the executive board of the TJ Reddick Bar Association.

 

Minnesota teacher Rosanna Catherine Payne was also a politician and businesswoman

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Minnesota teacher Rosanna Catherine Payne also served as a politician and businesswoman in her community. Photo Credit: Minnesota Legislature

Many excellent educators also serve their communities as able politicians. Rosanna Catherine Payne, a teacher, businesswoman, and politician from Minnesota, is one of these.

Rosanna was born on March 19, 1884, in Harris, Fish Lake Township, Minnesota, the daughter of pioneer parents. As a young girl, she attended public schools in Harris. Following her graduation from Caton Business College, she became involved in various business opportunities related to real estate, loans, and merchandizing. She also served as the postmistress for Ball Club, Minnesota. In addition, she earned a farm and taught school for two years in a country school in Itasca.

In 1926, Rosanna was elected on the Democratic ticket to represent District 52 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She served in that body from 1927 to 1932. There she advanced legislation that pertained to education, conservation, and roads. She also served on the Minnesota Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women.

Rosanna Payne passed away on Oct. 31, 1954, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was 70 years old. She is buried in Harris.

Utah’s Eurithe LaBarthe served in her state’s House of Reps

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High school teacher and principal Eurithe LaBarthe served in the Utah State House of Representatives. Photo credit: Better Days 2020

Many hardworking educators are also accomplished politicians. One of these was Eurithe LaBarthe, a high school teacher and principal who also served as a state legislator in her state. She was a proponent of gender equality, a prominent clubwoman, a literary leader, and one of Utah’s first women legislators.

Eurithe was born in 1845 in Peoria, Illinois. As a young woman, she worked as a high school teacher and principal in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After her marriage to Jules LaBarthe on July 10, 1873, the couple moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. That was in 1892. Although she was not a Mormon in a predominantly Mormon community, the newcomer quickly established herself as an influential clubwoman.

In 1896, Eurithe she elected President of the Ladies’ Literary Club and managed the official club building for that organization. The Literary Club provided higher education at a time when it was not readily available to women. Initially, the organization focused primarily on history, but eventually they branched out into other topics such as poetry, art, and politics. The society was heavily involved in charity work and later helped pass a bill for the first free library in Utah. The club also purchased 2,000 books in order to help start the library.

The same year, Eurithe was elected on the Democratic ticket to Utah State House of Representatives. That year was the first election in which women could run for office in the newly-formed state. She was one of two women elected to the inaugural state legislature on Nov. 3, 1896. Her term began in Jan., 1897, and continued to Jan., 1899. While serving there, Eurithe was named the Chair of the Education Committee. Additionally, she drafted a letter to Congress requesting that the Federal Industrial Home, which was originally built as a refuge from polygamy but had stood empty for several years, be granted to the state for educational or charitable purposes. The former teacher advanced the cause of gender equality by actively engaging in the political processes of her state and by paving the way for future women lawmakers.

In addition to her work as a politician, Eurithe worked to establish the Utah State Historical society. Later she moved to Denver, where she became involved in women’s club work, serving as Treasurer and as Chair of the Finance Committee for the Woman’s Club, an organization of over 1000 members.

Sadly, while visiting her son in Salt Lake City, Eurithe contracted pneumonia and succumbed to the disease on Nov. 22, 1910. She was buried in Colorado Springs, Colorado.