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Elise Hopkins Stephens : From Matriarch to Mayor: Four Generations of Galveston's Kempner Women Make Their Mark

Bright Sky Press, Houston, Texas, 2016

ISBN 1942945221

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. H2 - A first edition (complete numberline) hardcover book SIGNED and inscribed by Elise Stephen to previous owner and also SIGNED and dated by Lyda Ann Thomas on the front free endpaper in very good condition in very good dust jacket. Dust jacket and book have some bumped corners, light discoloration and shelf wear. Much has been written about the Kempner family of Galveston, Texas, and their business, civic and philanthropic accomplishments, but these histories have focused on the accomplishments of the men. Now, From Matriarch to Mayor: Four Generations of Galveston's Kempner Women Make their Mark brings the strong Kempner women into the light and shows their role in the family's impact. Author Elise H. Stephens provides the individual stories of four generations of Kempner women whose strength and commitment transformed their community as their men were building the Imperial Sugar Company and the Kempner Fund. From philanthropy to volunteer work, each of these women was eager to use her talents in service to city, state and country. Anecdotes, letters, journal entries and personal photographs illustrate the importance of the women and provide insight into the Kempners' traditions and beliefs, their way of life and the often-dramatic times in which they lived. Stephens presents over a dozen of the women - some calm and collected, some bold and brash, all fascinating. As new generations of this strong family emerge as mainstays of Galveston, the state of Texas, and beyond, this well-researched, personal, and engaging history creates a window into both the formation and perpetuation of a significant dynasty. 9.5"x6.5", 432 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Lyda Ann Thomas was an American politician and businesswoman. She was first elected in 2004 as Mayor of Galveston, Texas to succeed Roger Quiroga. She was the third female mayor of Galveston. The eldest child of Arthur William and Lyda Kempner Quinn, she attended The Hockaday School in Dallas. She lived in New York City during the early years of her marriage from 1956 to 1972. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, concluding her formal education at Columbia University. Elected to the Galveston City Council in 1998, she served her three-term limit. In 2004 she was elected Mayor of Galveston. Thomas proceeded to serve three terms as mayor, and stepped down in 2010 after reaching her a city-imposed term-limit. On September 20, 2005, during Hurricane Rita, Thomas declared a state of emergency and ordered an evacuation effective 6 PM the following day. When added to the panicked flight from Houston, this exacerbated the congestion in the area. She was however praised for her caution, receiving the 2007 National Blueprint Best Practices Award from the National Council on Readiness & Preparedness. On August 4, 2008, when Tropical Storm Edouard came ashore, Thomas limited her statements to a warning. When Hurricane Ike approached Galveston, on September 10 at noon Thomas said that although she did not expect to be ordering an evacuation, she asked for a voluntary evacuation of the western part of the island. At 5 PM this hardened to a mandatory order and she suggested voluntary evacuation for the rest of the island. Thomas ordered the full evacuation 9:30 AM on September 11, in a news conference with Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough. She told the media at the time that she had wanted to avoid an evacuation order.. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Hardcover. Jacket: Very Good

First Edition
Signed by Author

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