Lyda Ann Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lyda Ann Thomas
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| Mayor of Galveston, Texas | |
| In office 2004–2010 |
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| Preceded by | Roger Quiroga |
| Succeeded by | Joe Jaworski |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lyda Ann Quinn
November 20, 1936 Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 19, 2017 (aged 80) Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | President of Thomas & Company of Galveston, Inc |
Lyda Ann Thomas (born November 20, 1936 – died April 19, 2017) was an important American politician and businesswoman. She served as the Mayor of Galveston, Texas. She was first elected in 2004 and was the third woman to hold this important position in Galveston.
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Becoming Mayor of Galveston
Lyda Ann Thomas was born in Galveston, Texas. She went to school at The Hockaday School in Dallas. Later, she studied at the University of Texas at Austin. She also attended Columbia University in New York City.
Before becoming mayor, she was elected to the Galveston City Council in 1998. She served on the City Council for three terms. In 2004, she was elected Mayor of Galveston. She served three terms as mayor, stepping down in 2010.
Leading During Hurricanes
Lyda Ann Thomas was known for her leadership during major hurricanes. Galveston is an island city, so hurricanes are a big concern.
Hurricane Rita's Impact
On September 20, 2005, Hurricane Rita was approaching. Mayor Thomas declared a state of emergency. She ordered people to leave the city the next day. This helped keep people safe.
She was praised for being careful and planning ahead. She even received an award for her good work in 2007. This award came from the National Council on Readiness & Preparedness.
Hurricane Ike's Approach
In 2008, Galveston faced another big storm, Hurricane Ike. On September 10, Mayor Thomas first suggested that people in the western part of the island leave voluntarily.
Later that day, she made it a mandatory order for that area. She also suggested that everyone else on the island consider leaving. The next morning, on September 11, she ordered a full evacuation of Galveston. She worked with Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough to make sure everyone was safe.
Later Life and Legacy
Lyda Ann Thomas passed away on April 19, 2017, at the age of 80. She was a mother of four children and a grandmother of two. She is remembered for her dedication to Galveston and her strong leadership during difficult times.
