Anita Thigpen Perry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anita Thigpen Perry
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Perry in 2019
|
|
| First Lady of Texas | |
| In role December 21, 2000 – January 20, 2015 |
|
| Governor | Rick Perry |
| Preceded by | Laura Bush |
| Succeeded by | Cecilia Abbott |
| Second Lady of Texas | |
| In role January 19, 1999 – December 21, 2000 |
|
| 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 was born on May 5, 1952. She is an American nurse. She served as the First Lady of Texas from 2000 to 2015. This made her the longest-serving First Lady in Texas history. She is married to Rick Perry, who was the Governor of Texas.
As First Lady, Anita Perry worked hard to support nursing and other health care topics. She helped create the Anita Thigpen Perry Endowment at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. This program focuses on healthy eating, heart health, health education, and how young children grow. In 2008, the nursing school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center was named in her honor.
Early Life and Education
Anita Perry was born in Haskell, Texas. Her father, Joseph Eltidge Thigpen, was a family doctor. Her mother, Beunis Fay Ratliff Thigpen, was a homemaker. Anita's father was known for making house calls, which means he visited patients at their homes. Her grandfather was also a doctor.
Anita Perry went to Haskell High School. 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 a 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 work included helping in surgery, caring for children, working in intensive care, and teaching. She also worked as a consultant. She married Rick Perry in 1982, and they have two adult children.
Role as First Lady of Texas
Anita Perry became the First Lady of Texas in 2000. This happened when her husband, Rick Perry, became governor. He took over after George W. Bush resigned to become President-elect. Before that, Rick Perry had been the lieutenant governor for two years.
In October 2000, Anita and Rick Perry started the first Texas Conference for Women. This event became a yearly tradition. The conference helps women with their careers, health, and personal growth.
On August 22, 2008, the nursing school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center was renamed in her honor. Two special funds for nursing were also created in her name. These are 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. These funds help support nursing education and research.
