Harryette Ehrhardt

Harryette Ehrhardt is an American educator and politician.^[1][2] She served as a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1995 to 2002.^[1][2]

Biography

Early life

Harryette Ehrhardt was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on August 5, 1934.^[1] She received a Bachelor of Arts and an M.A. from Southern Methodist University and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Houston.^[1]

Career

She worked as a classroom teacher and school principal.^[1] She later taught at SMU, and one of her students was Laura Bush, whom she taught children's literature.^[3] From 1995 to 2002, she served as Texas state Representative.^[1][2] She supported gay rights.^[4]

The library at Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Middle School in Dallas is named in her honor.^[3]

___BIOGRAPHY___

The Honorable Dr. Harryette B. Ehrhardt was born in Hattiesburg MS on August 5, 1934 and graduated from Highland Park High School and attended SMU for her B.S. and M.A. with Departmental Distinctions. She received her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Houston.

These achievements were simply the beginnings of a remarkable career as an educator, politician, activist, and concerned citizen for Dallas and Texas. Harryette's professional experiences include State Representative, Texas House of Representatives for four terms. As a Representative, she served on the Texas State Legislature Committees of Urban Affairs, Financial Institutions and Elections. She was an elementary teacher and principal in Dallas and other school districts. Harryette was an associate professor and lecturer at SMU, Texas Women's University and other colleges. She is Professor Emeritus in the Dallas County Community College system.

As a concerned citizen, she served on the Dallas Independent School District Board, the Dallas Health Alliance as First Chair. She served as Vice Chair of Trinity Ministry to the Poor.She served on the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Her city appointments include Permits and License Appeal Board and Community Block Grant Committee. Harryette has been a delegate to Senate, State and National Democratic Party Conventions.

Always an activist, some of Harryette's past and current activities include: Chair of the Greater Dallas Community Relations Commission, Women's Council of Dallas, Secretary for the Dallas Summit, Founder of the Dallas Women's Foundation, Founder of what is now Preservation Dallas, Board Chair of the Art Institute of Dallas, Founder and Chair of the Dallas Women's Political Caucus, Chair of the Texas Women's Political Caucus, and Founder and Chair of People Empowerment Project.

For her service and activism, Harryette has won numerous awards and honors. A few of those awards include the Dr. Harryette Ehrhardt Library at Zan Holmes Middle School, DISD,the Women Helping Women Maura Award, the Texas Outstanding Public Service Award on Consumer Issues, the Houser Award Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, the Outstanding Service Award for the Mentally Ill, the Outstanding State Official from the Texas Human Rights Foundation, the Trailblazer Award, Independent Bankers of America, the Kuikling Award from Dallas Black Tie, the Dallas Bridge Builder from Turtle Creek Chorale and from the NAACP the Community Service Award.

Harryette is married to the wonderful John A Ehrhardt, M.D., and they have five beautiful children, thirteen fantastic grandchildren and three terrific great-grandchildren. She is a caring loyal friend in addition to being mother, concerned citizen and activist. Our city, state and many organizations and individuals have benefitted from this woman we are honoring with the Susan B. Anthony Award for 2014. Dr. Ehrhardt received the Susan B. Anthony Award in the Spring of 2014.

• Representative Ehrhardt can be reached at hbe@swbell.net

References