Hattie Mae Whiting White facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hattie Mae Whiting White
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| Born | May 22, 1916 Huntsville, Texas
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| Died | July 30, 1993 Houston, Texas
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| Occupation | Educator, politician |
| Known for | First Black member of the Houston Independent School District board (1958-1967) |
Hattie Mae Whiting White (born May 22, 1916 – died July 30, 1993) was an important American teacher and politician. She made history in 1958 by becoming the first Black person to join the board of the Houston Independent School District. This also made her the first Black elected official in Houston in the 1900s.
Hattie White's Early Life and School Days
Hattie Mae Whiting was born in Huntsville, Texas. Her parents were David Wendell Whiting and Hattie Gooden Whiting. She grew up in Houston. There, she went to Booker T. Washington High School. She also attended Houston Colored Junior College. Hattie then trained to be a teacher at Prairie View State Normal & Industrial College.
Making a Difference: Hattie White's Career
Hattie Whiting worked as a school teacher until 1941. That year, she got married. She was also part of the Metropolitan Council of the Houston YWCA. This group helps women and young people. She also worked with the Houston Association for Better Schools.
In 1958, Hattie White was chosen to be on the board of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). This was a very big deal. She was the first Black person ever on the HISD board. She was also the first Black person elected to a public office in Houston since the Reconstruction period.
Hattie White was very brave. She spoke out for school desegregation. This meant she wanted schools to be open to students of all races. She also supported getting money from the government for schools. Even though she faced arguments and mean threats, people re-elected her. She won again in 1961 and 1964.
In 1967, she lost her re-election for the school board. She also tried to run for the Texas legislature in 1968 but did not win. After her time in politics, Hattie White went back to teaching. She stopped teaching in 1986. In 1985, she shared her life story in an interview. This interview is now kept at the University of Houston.
Hattie White received a special award. The Houston YWCA gave her their Lifetime Achievement Award. The main building for the HISD administration was named after her. Later, in 2006, the current Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center was named in her honor.
Hattie White's Family Life
Hattie Whiting married Charles E. White in 1941. He was an eye doctor. They had five children together. Hattie White passed away in Houston in 1993. She was 77 years old.
