Geraldine W. Travis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geraldine W. Travis
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 43rd district |
|
| In office 1975–1977 |
|
| Succeeded by | Warren O'Keefe |
| Personal details | |
| 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 on September 3, 1931, is an American politician and activist. She was a member of the Democratic Party. She served in the Montana House of Representatives, representing the 43rd district.
Mrs. Travis made history as the first black woman to serve in the Montana House of Representatives. This is a big achievement for the state of Montana.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Geraldine Washington Travis was born in Albany, Georgia, on September 3, 1931. Her parents were Joseph and Dorothy Washington. She attended Xavier University of Louisiana for her education.
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, the family moved around the country a lot.
Geraldine Travis's Career
In 1967, Mrs. Travis and her husband moved to Malmstrom Air Force Base. This base is located near Great Falls, Montana.
She helped start the NAACP branch in Great Falls in 1968. The NAACP is a group that works for civil rights and equality. She also worked as its secretary and treasurer.
During the 1960s, she was the president of the Cascade County Women's Political Caucus. This group helps women get involved in politics. She also started local chapters of the National Council of Negro Women and the Montana Women's Political Caucus.
In 1972, Mrs. Travis and Sherlee T. Graybill represented Montana. They were delegates at the first convention of the National Women's Political Caucus.
Supporting Presidential Candidates
During the 1972 presidential election, Mrs. Travis supported Shirley Chisholm. Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman to run for president. Mrs. Travis was a delegate for Chisholm at the 1972 Democratic National Convention. She also led a group called the "Support for Shirley Chisholm Club."
In the 1980 presidential election, Mrs. Travis continued her political work. She was a co-chair for the Democratic Party's social services platform committee. She also served as a presidential elector. This meant she voted for Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale for president and vice-president.
In 1989, Mrs. Travis moved to Arizona.
Serving in the Montana House of Representatives
In 1974, Geraldine Travis was elected to the Montana House of Representatives. She represented the 43rd district. This made her the first black woman to serve in Montana's state legislature.
The 43rd district included the Malmstrom Air Force Base. It had over 5,500 people living there. However, only 138 people were registered to vote in that election. Mrs. Travis won the election with twenty votes. Her opponent received five votes. She spent $712 on her campaign.
She ran for reelection in 1976 but lost to Warren O'Keefe. Mrs. Travis tried to win a seat in the Montana House of Representatives again in 1980, 1982, and 1984. However, she did not win in 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
