Annette Strauss
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Annette Strauss | |
---|---|
54th Mayor of Dallas | |
In office May 4, 1987 – December 2, 1991[1] | |
Preceded by | Starke Taylor |
Succeeded by | Steve Bartlett |
Personal details | |
Born | Annette Louise Greenfield January 26, 1924 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
Died | December 14, 1998 | (aged 74)
Resting place | Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery |
Spouse | Ted Strauss |
Relations | Robert S. Strauss (brother-in-law) |
Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin (BA)[2] Columbia University |
Annette Louise Greenfield Strauss (January 26, 1924 – December 14, 1998) was an American philanthropist and politician who served as the 54th mayor of
Life
Born in
During the 1960s and 1970s, Strauss worked tirelessly as a fundraiser for various charities and organizations and also as a volunteer for a number of other organizations. She worked on behalf of the
Using her many connections in the city, Strauss was elected to a Dallas City Council seat in 1983. She became deputy mayor pro tem and then mayor pro tem in 1984. In 1987, Strauss ran for mayor of Dallas and won with 56 percent of the vote. Her opponents included the Texas Republican state chairman, Fred Meyer, a Dallas businessman originally from suburban Chicago.[4]
During her tenure as mayor, Strauss helped to lead a city suffering from a sharp economic downturn.
While Mayor-Pro Tem, Annette spearheaded the effort to build a refuge for an increasing number of families living on the streets, victims of the collapsed Texas economy. The vision was a facility where homeless families could stay together as a family unit. A coalition of congregations responded, and Family Gateway was born. Originally named the Downtown Family Shelter, the S. St. Paul, 30-room facility was rededicated as the Annette. G. Strauss Family Gateway Center in 2000. The Center provides a private room, food and clothing for homeless families with children; coupled with the child care, educational and employment resources they need to recover from crisis and make positive choices for their future. Today, Family Gateway has grown to include transitional housing and permanent supportive housing units in the community to serve the growing number of homeless families. After 25 years Annette's original vision for Family Gateway continues today; to empower homeless families to break the cycle of homelessness and embrace a life of hope and promise.
In 1991, Strauss left the mayoral position and worked as a consultant and trustee for a number of boards and foundations, including the Children's Medical Center Foundation, the Dallas Methodist Hospitals Foundation, the St. Paul Hospital Foundation, the Timberlawn Foundation and the Texas Historical Foundation. She was also appointed "Ambassador-at-large" for the city of Dallas, an honorary position she held until her death from cancer in 1998. She was interred at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery. Her husband Ted Strauss died on September 5, 2014.
Awards
Strauss was awarded the H. Neil Mallon Award by the World Affairs Council in 1995. The H. Neil Mallon Award, hosted by the World Affair Council of Dallas/ Fort Worth, is presented annually to individuals who have excelled at promoting the international focus of North Texas. The prestigious Mallon Award is named after the Council’s founder and is presented annually to individuals who have excelled in promoting our region’s international profile. Funds raised from this event support the World Affair Council’s public and education programming, international exchanges, and diplomatic services.
Legacy
In recognition of her many years of humanitarian service, many things have been named for Annette Strauss, including the Annette G. Strauss Family Gateway Center, the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at the
References
- ^ "Inaugural Speech of Mayor Steve Bartlett and Farewell Address of Mayor Annette Strauss, 1991". dallascityhall.com. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ "Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation Marks a Decade of Creating More Voters, Better Citizens". UT News. September 20, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
- ^ "Romney Falling Victim to Voters' Religious Discrimination | Fox News". Fox News. Archived from the original on 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
- ^ Gromer Jeffers Jr. & Joe Simnacher (September 24, 2012). "Fred Meyer, who built Dallas and Texas GOP into dominant force, dies at age 84". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 18, 2015.