Anita Thigpen Perry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anita Thigpen Perry
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Perry in July 2019
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| First Lady of Texas | |
| In role December 21, 2000 – January 20, 2015 |
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| Governor | Rick Perry |
| Preceded by | Laura Bush |
| Succeeded by | Cecilia Abbott |
| Second Lady of Texas | |
| In role January 19, 1999 – December 21, 2000 |
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| Lieutenant Governor | Rick Perry |
| Preceded by | Gloria Bullock |
| Succeeded by | Sally Ratliff |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Anita Thigpen
May 5, 1952 Haskell, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Texas Tech University West Texas A&M University (BS) UT Health San Antonio (MS) |
Mary Anita Thigpen Perry (born May 5, 1952) is an American nurse. She served as the First Lady of Texas for a long time, from 2000 to 2015. She is married to Rick Perry, who used to be the Governor of Texas.
As the First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry worked hard to support nurses and improve health care. She helped create the Anita Thigpen Perry Endowment at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. This special fund helps with research and education about nutrition, heart health, health education, and how young children grow. In 2008, the nursing school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center was even named the Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing in her honor.
Early Life and Education
Anita Perry was born in Haskell, Texas. She is the youngest daughter of Joseph Eltidge Thigpen, a family doctor, and Beunis Fay Ratliff Thigpen, a homemaker. Her father was a brave pilot in World War II and received special awards for his service. He was also known for visiting patients at their homes, even when other doctors stopped doing that. Her grandfather was also a doctor.
Anita Perry has three siblings. She went to Haskell High School, just like her husband, Rick Perry. She started college at Texas Tech University. Since they did not have a nursing program there at the time, she moved to West Texas A&M University in Canyon. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1974. Later, she earned a master's degree in nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
She worked as a nurse for over 17 years. Her jobs included working in surgery, with children, in intensive care, and in teaching. She also worked as a consultant. When her husband, Rick, became the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, she stopped working as a nurse.
First Lady of Texas
Anita Perry became the First Lady of Texas in 2000. This happened when Rick Perry became governor after George W. Bush resigned to become President-elect. Before that, Rick Perry had served as lieutenant governor for two years.
In October 2000, Anita and Rick Perry started the first Texas Conference for Women. This event became an annual tradition. The conference helps women learn about career growth, health care, and personal development.
To honor her work, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center renamed its nursing school after her on August 22, 2008. Also, two special funds for nursing students are named after her: the Anita Thigpen Perry Nursing Excellence Scholarship at West Texas A&M University and the Anita Thigpen Perry Endowment at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
