Tag Archives: Teacher Politicians

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.

Teacher Annie Tietze served five terms in Kansas State House of Reps

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Former Social Studies teacher Annie Tietze served five terms in the Kansas State House of Representatives. Photo credit: legislators.gov

Many excellent educators have also served their community in public office. Annie Tietze, a Social Studies teacher from Kansas, is one of these. She served five terms of office in her state’s House of Representatives.

Annie was born on Oct. 7, 1950, in Topeka, Kansas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Emporia State University in 1972. She earned a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas in 1986.

After she earned her degrees, Annie taught Social Studies, speech, debate, and English in Topeka. Her career spanned from 1974 to 2006, a total of 32 years. She also worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Annie was elected to the Kansas State House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket. There she represented the 56th District from 2007 to 2013. She represented the 53rd District from 2013 to 2016. In the Kansas House, Annie was a member of three Committees: Corrections & Community Justice; Commerce, Labor, & Economic Development; and Judiciary.

For her work as a legislator, Annie has earned some impressive recognition. She was named Legislator of the Year by the National Alliance of Mental Illness in 2010. She was also honored as the Spiral of Influence by the Kansas City Organization of Women Enterprises.

Today, at age 72, Annie is retired from teaching. But she has not left the profession entirely. She serves as the local president of the Kansas National Education Association.

NC teacher, legislator, and WWII veteran Aaron Fussell

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North Carolina teacher, legislator, and World War II veteran Aaron Fussell earned the Bronze Star for his war-time service. Photo credit: Find a Grave

Many fine educators have also served our country in the military. Many more have served their community in public office. Aaron Fussell, a teacher from North Carolina, has done both.

Aaron was born on July 5, 1923, in Rose Hill, North Carolina. In 1940, he graduated from Rose Hill High School. The following summer, he worked for his uncle in Laurinburg, where he did the bookkeeping and handled the payroll. Next, Aaron earned his Bachelor’s degree from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson. He earned his Master’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina. He also completed post-graduate courses at North Carolina State University and Duke University. While in college, Aaron played basketball, baseball, and tennis, a game at which he especially excelled.

During World War II, Aaron served his country as a corporal in the US Army. He was among the troops that comprised the 203rd Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division, when they landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy in June, 1944. Later, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. In fact, Aaron earned a Bronze Star for fighting in 318 continuous days of combat.

Once the war was over, Aaron became a teacher and coach at Elm City High School in 1946. He worked his way up the ranks, first as an Assistant Principal at Whiteville High School, then as the Principal of Millbrook High School in 1953, and finally as the Superintendent of Wake County Schools in 1957. He held that position until 1976, during which time he ensured the integration of the school district. In all, Aaron’s career as an educator spanned 31 years.

In addition to his work as an educator, Aaron was elected on the Democratic ticket to the North Carolina House of Representatives. He served in that body from 1978 to 1994, a total of 16 years. In this position, he supported many bills for improved education, including a state Basic Education Plan and a statewide curriculum which was adopted in the 1980s. In addition, the former teacher supported a mandatory seatbelt law and statewide watershed protection.

Teacher, politician, and veteran Aaron Fussell passed away on July 7, 2014, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was 91 years old.

Teacher Anne Burnes McDonald also served in the Connecticut State House of Reps

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Former sixth grade teacher Anne Byrnes McDonald served in the Connecticut State House of Representatives. Photo Credit: Boston.com News

Many fine classroom teachers are also distinguished politicians. One of these is Anne Byrnes McDonald, an elementary school teacher from Connecticut who also served her community in the State House of Representatives.

Anne was born in 1933 in Syracuse, New York. As a young woman, she attended Le Moyne College, a private Jesuit college located in DeWitt, New York. There she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Later she earned her Master’s degree in Education from Syracuse University.

Once she earned her degrees, Anne accepted a position teaching sixth grade, first in Syracuse and then in Ardsley, New York. In addition to teaching children in public schools, she instructed adult learners who were learning English as a second language. After she relocated with her family to Stamford, Connecticut, Anne was elected to the Stamford Board of Education, where she served from 1979 to 1986.

Anne inaugurated her career as a politician in 1990, when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Connecticut House of Representatives. There she represented District 145 from 1990 to 2003. In addition to representing the Cove, Glenbrook, and East Side of Stamford in the General Assembly, the former educator also served as the House Chairman of the Public Health Committee and the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee.

Throughout her life, Anne volunteered for a number of local and statewide organizations. She served eight years on the City of Stamford Commission on Aging; three years on the Connecticut Advisory Board on Aging; four years on the Stamford Housing Authority; and four years on the Housing Development Fund Board. She also served four years on the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

In 2003, Anne was forced to resign from her position in the State House and withdraw from her philanthropic positions because of failing health. Sadly, she succumbed to cancer on Oct. 3, 2007. She was 74 years old.

Patricia Morehead-Morris: Nebraska teacher and state Senator

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Many talented educators have also served their communities in public office. One such teacher is Patricia Morehead-Morris, a public school teacher who also served in the Nebraska legislature.

Patricia was born July 21, 1936, in Falls City, Nebraska. As a young woman in 1954, she attended first MacMurray College, a private college located in Jacksonville, Illinois, and then the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1958.

Once she earned her degree, Patricia moved to Beatrice, a small town located about 45 miles south of Lincoln, Nebraska. There she taught in elementary and secondary schools, both public and private.

In 1982, Patricia was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve in the Nebraska Legislature. She represented District 30, which covers Gage County and southeastern Lancaster County, between the years from 1983 to 1988.

In addition to her work in the legislature, Patricia was involved in many philanthropic organizations. She belonged to the Gage County Democratic Women; the Philanthropic and Educational Organization; the Blue Valley Home Economists; the American Trap Shooting Association; and the sorority Upsilon Omicron, Chi Omega.