Gladys Spellman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gladys Noon Spellman
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 5th district |
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| In office January 3, 1975 – February 24, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Lawrence Hogan |
| Succeeded by | Steny Hoyer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gladys Blossom Noon
March 2, 1918 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | June 19, 1988 (aged 70) Rockville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Reuben Spellman |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | George Washington University Graduate School USA |
Gladys Noon Spellman (born Gladys Blossom Noon; March 2, 1918 – June 19, 1988) was an important American politician and teacher. She served as a U.S. representative for Maryland's 5th congressional district from 1975 to 1981. She was a member of the Democratic Party. Her time in Congress ended when she became very ill and her seat was declared empty.
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Early Life and Education
Gladys Blossom Noon was born in New York City on March 2, 1918. She went to high school in Washington, D.C. Later, she studied at George Washington University and also attended a graduate school linked to the United States Department of Agriculture.
After finishing her education, Spellman became a teacher. She taught in schools in Prince George's County, Maryland. She was also very involved in her community. After World War II, many new families moved to Prince George's County, and Gladys Spellman became a strong voice for them.
Becoming a Community Leader
During the 1950s and 1960s, Gladys Spellman was a teacher and a very active parent. She was the president of the PTA for Happy Acres Elementary School. This school was later renamed the Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School in her honor. She also worked as a community activist in Cheverly.
Her community work led her to become a leader in a movement to change the local government in Prince George's County. This group wanted to improve how the county was run. In 1962, she was elected to the Prince George's County Board of Commissioners. She served on this board until 1970 and even led it as chairman for two years. This made her the head of the county's government.
After the county government changed, Spellman served on the County Council from 1971 to 1974. In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson chose her to be part of the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. This group helps different levels of government work together. In 1972, she became the first woman to be elected president of the National Association of Counties. This was a big honor given by county officials across the country.
Serving in Congress
In September 1974, Gladys Spellman easily won the Democratic nomination to run for Maryland's fifth congressional seat. She then won the general election against her Republican opponent.
While in Congress, she worked on several important committees. These included the Committee on Banking, Currency and Housing, which deals with money and homes. She also served on the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. This committee was very important for her district because nearly 40 percent of the people there worked for the federal government. This was the highest percentage of federal employees in any congressional district in the country.
In 1977, Spellman supported laws to help people get loans for businesses they owned together. She also voted to continue a program that shared federal money with local governments. She also supported a plan to help New York City when it was having financial problems. Spellman also worked to protect federal employees and opposed some changes to the civil service system proposed by President Jimmy Carter.
Honors, Illness, and Passing
In 1979, Gladys Spellman was featured on a "Supersisters" trading card. These cards celebrated important women.
On October 31, 1980, Spellman had a serious heart attack while at an event. She was re-elected to Congress just five days later, winning with 80% of the votes. However, it soon became clear that she would not recover from her illness. She remained in a coma.
Because she was unable to serve, the House of Representatives decided to declare her seat empty. This was the only time in history that a seat was declared vacant due to a member's medical condition. A special election was held to fill her seat. Thirty-two people ran, including her husband, Reuben. However, Steny Hoyer won the Democratic nomination and then the special election on May 19, 1981. Hoyer has continued to serve in Congress ever since.
In 1985, Spellman was honored by being included in the first group of inductees into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. The Baltimore–Washington Parkway, a major highway in Maryland, is named after her. The Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School in Cheverly, Maryland also carries her name.
Gladys Spellman never woke up from her coma. She passed away on June 19, 1988, after nearly eight years. She is buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.
See also
- List of Jewish members of the United States Congress
- List of United States representatives from Maryland
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
