Eleanor Tinsley
Eleanor Tinsley | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Houston City Council | |
| In office 1979–1995 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 31, 1926 Dallas, Texas |
| Died | February 10, 2009 |
| Political party | Democratic |
Eleanor Whilden Tinsley (October 31, 1926 – February 10, 2009) was an American politician from Texas. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as a member of the Houston City Council and as a member of the Houston Independent School Board. She was named to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1988.
Biography
The daughter of W. C. Whilden and Georgiabel Burleson, she was born in Dallas and grew up there. She was educated at the College of William and Mary and went on to earn a bachelor's degree at Baylor University. She married James Aubrey Tinsley in 1948 and moved to Houston in 1953; the couple had three children.[1]
Political career
Tinsley was active in school integration. In 1969, she was elected to the Houston Independent School Board; she became board president in 1972. She was defeated when she ran for reelection in 1973.[1]
Other activities
Tinsley also served as president of the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards. She helped establish payment by the state for foster care for children not covered by welfare and for children in the AFDC program.[2] She received the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research's President Award for helping persons with disabilities and the American Lung Institute of Texas' Public Advocacy Award.[2]
Death and legacy
She died from cancer in Houston at the age of 82.[1] The Eleanor Tinsley Elementary School and Eleanor Tinsley Park were named in her honor.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lensing, Bridget. "TINSLEY, ELEANOR WHILDEN". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Eleanor Tinsley". Texas Women's Hall of Fame. Texas Woman's University.