It's April 10th, and that means it's Grandmother's birthday! We'll celebrate with a quick mention of her days in politics. Yes, I have stated before that she held a long reign as queen of our family. But there was indeed a time when she and my grandfather were fairly active in campaigning for political figures at the local and national level.
One of the most significant instances was their involvement with John Connally's campaign for Governor of Texas. Connally had already served as the Secretary of the U.S. Navy under President Kennedy. In the early 1960s, he decided to run for Governor in his home state and was elected to office, beginning this role in 1963.
While Granddad was working on the campaign with Connally, Grandmother played a role by supporting Connally's wife (Nellie) with the campaign group "Women for Connally". Here's a newspaper clipping from the Houston Chronicle. I don't have the precise date of this at the moment but will update as soon as I find out.
One of the most significant instances was their involvement with John Connally's campaign for Governor of Texas. Connally had already served as the Secretary of the U.S. Navy under President Kennedy. In the early 1960s, he decided to run for Governor in his home state and was elected to office, beginning this role in 1963.
While Granddad was working on the campaign with Connally, Grandmother played a role by supporting Connally's wife (Nellie) with the campaign group "Women for Connally". Here's a newspaper clipping from the Houston Chronicle. I don't have the precise date of this at the moment but will update as soon as I find out.
Now, November of 1963 was also the time of Kennedy's assassination in Dallas. John and Nellie Connally were both in the vehicle with the president and his wife. Governor Connally was shot in the process, but he thankfully survived. I have been told that Granddad was on stage with Kennedy and Connally at an event in Houston the day before.
There are some other interesting pictures and stories to tell about how these two grandparents of mine found themselves involved in the world of politics, though some details need to be sorted out through further research. Oh how I wish I had thought to ask them the important questions when I had the chance!
Maybe in one of our next entries we'll find out how Grandmother got the nickname "Tiger" while involved in yet another campaign - this one, however, somewhat closer to home!
Maybe in one of our next entries we'll find out how Grandmother got the nickname "Tiger" while involved in yet another campaign - this one, however, somewhat closer to home!