Neal, Margie Elizabeth (1875–1971)

Margie Elizabeth Neal, the first woman elected to the Texas Senate, was born on April 20, 1875, near Clayton, Texas. She was the second of four children of William Lafayette and Martha Gholston Neal. She lived in Carthage, Texas, most of her life. She attended but did not graduate from the Sam Houston State Teachers College. She had a short teaching career. In 1903 her father purchased The Texas Mule, a weekly paper. Neal became the editor and publisher. She renamed the paper the East Texas Register and continued its publication until she sold it in 1911. Neal was the first woman to register to vote in Panola County. She was appointed the first female member of the board of regents of the State Teachers ...