Geraldine W. Travis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geraldine W. Travis
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| Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 43rd district |
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| In office 1975–1977 |
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| Succeeded by | Warren O'Keefe |
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| Born |
Geraldine Washington Travis
November 3, 1931 Albany, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | William Alexander Travis |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Xavier University of Louisiana |
Geraldine Washington Travis (born September 3, 1931) is an American politician and activist. She served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1975 to 1977. She was a member of the Democratic Party. Geraldine Travis made history as the first black woman to serve in the Montana House of Representatives.
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Early Life and Family
Geraldine Washington Travis was born on September 3, 1931. Her hometown was Albany, Georgia. Her parents were Joseph and Dorothy Washington. She went to college at Xavier University of Louisiana.
In 1949, she married William Alexander Travis. They had five children together. Her husband was in the United States Air Force. Because of his job, their family moved to different places across the country.
Geraldine Travis's Career and Activism
In 1967, Geraldine Travis and her husband moved to Malmstrom Air Force Base. This base is near Great Falls, Montana.
Community Involvement
Geraldine Travis was very active in her community. In 1968, she helped start the NAACP branch in Great Falls. The NAACP is a group that works for equal rights for all people. She was the secretary and treasurer for this group.
During the 1960s, she led the Cascade County Women's Political Caucus. This group helped women get involved in politics. She also started local groups for the National Council of Negro Women and the Montana Women's Political Caucus. These groups also worked to support women.
In 1972, she and Sherlee T. Graybill represented Montana. They went to the first big meeting of the National Women's Political Caucus.
Political Campaigns
Geraldine Travis was involved in several presidential elections. In 1972, she supported Shirley Chisholm for president. Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman to run for president. Geraldine Travis was a delegate for Chisholm at the Democratic National Convention. This means she helped represent Chisholm at a big meeting where the party chose its presidential candidate.
In the 1980 presidential election, Geraldine Travis helped the Democratic Party. She was a co-chair for a committee that worked on social services. She also helped elect Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale.
In 1989, she moved to Arizona.
Serving in the Montana House of Representatives
In 1974, Geraldine Travis was elected to the Montana House of Representatives. This is a group of lawmakers who make rules for the state of Montana. She represented the 43rd district. This was a very important moment because she became the first black woman to serve in the Montana House.
The 43rd district included the Malmstrom Air Force Base. It had over 5,500 people living there. In the election, Geraldine Travis won with twenty votes. She spent $712 on her campaign.
She ran for re-election in 1976 but lost to Warren O'Keefe. She tried to get elected to the Montana House again in 1980, 1982, and 1984, but she did not win those elections.
See also
- Female state legislators in the United States
- List of African-American U.S. state firsts
- List of first African-American U.S. state legislators
