FEMALE COMMUNITY LEADERS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS: A STUDY OF THE EDUCATION OF IMA HOGG AND CHRISTIA DANIELS ADAIR A Dissertation by LINDA L. BLACK Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 2008 Major Subject: Curriculum and Instruction FEMALE COMMUNITY LEADERS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS: A STUDY OF THE EDUCATION OF IMA HOGG AND CHRISTIA DANIELS ADAIR A Dissertation by LINDA L. BLACK Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved by: Chair of Committee, Lynn M. Burlbaw Committee Members, Anthony N. Stranges Patrick Manning M. Carolyn Clark James B. Kracht Head of Department Dennie Smith December 2008 Major Subject: Curriculum and Instruction iii ABSTRACT Female Community Leaders in Houston, Texas: A Study of the Education of Ima Hogg and Christia Daniels Adair. (December 2008) Linda L. Black, B.A., Southwest Texas State University; M.Ed., Southwest Texas State University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Lynn M. Burlbaw Houston, Texas, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, has several structures named after historically male leaders of the city―George R. Brown Convention Center, Mickey Leland Federal Building, William P. Hobby Airport, and Jesse H. Jones Hall. However, Houston women have also had a history that included positions of leadership in the community. Not only were women instrumental in creating the city’s cultural institutions such as the Houston Symphony, Alley Theater, and Houston Public Library, but female community leaders were also responsible for social and political reforms including the integration of public facilities in Houston and the campaign for women’s suffrage. These women leaders have not been recognized, and there are no public buildings in Houston that bear the names of women. This study seeks, in part, to make known the achievements of two women―one white, one black―who played an integral part in the political and cultural fabric of twentieth century Houston. The purpose of this dissertation was to analyze the relationship between educational experience and community leadership in the lives of two female community iv leaders in Houston, Texas, Ima Hogg and Christia Daniels Adair. Utilizing published interviews, government records, and manuscript collections, I detail the beliefs and values taught and modeled by parents and reinforced by church, school, and community, as well as the knowledge and skills developed through organizational work and self-directed study. Upon initial observation, the lives of Ima Hogg and Christia Adair seemed quite different, separated by issues of race and class. However, by examining both the formal and informal educational experiences of these two women, common patterns or themes emerged. The themes were identified as service to community, expectations of success and leadership, a belief in the value of education and lifelong learning, and the development of leadership skills. The informal educational experience, in particular, proved to be especially significant in the development of leadership skills for these women and in their eventual roles as community leaders. Using these themes, this study analyzes the education of two female community leaders as a way of understanding the relationship between women’s education and women’s achievement. v DEDICATION Without the love, support, and encouragement of my family and friends, this individual effort would not have come to fruition. First, I would like to dedicate this to my mother, Florence Workman Greene, who no matter what, always put her children first in her life and believed we could accomplish anything. Second, I would like to thank my husband, Royce Black, for never leaving my side during this journey, for believing in me at those times when I did not believe in myself, and for being willing to take on the many duties I asked of him, including research assistant, editor, and critic. I would like to thank to my son, Shawn, for his enduring pride in his mother’s accomplishments and my sister, Nanci, for always being there when I needed support. To Donna and Gene, thank you for your support and for allowing me to move your father away from you, even if it was only for a while. To my nieces and nephew, thank you for your love and support. A sincere thank you to special friends Jean Silaski and Mary Smith who encouraged me at the beginning of my journey and to Heather Caldwell, Heidi Roupp, Deborah Smith Johnston, Sharon Cohen, Merry Wiesner- Hanks, Janet Tareilo, Neil Armstrong, Donnya Stephens, and Julia Ballenger who believed in me and kept me going during the rough times. All I can say to my AP buddies who “never doubted I would finish,” everyone should have such friends. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my dissertation supervisor, Dr. Lynn M. Burlbaw. His patience and guidance have helped me along my seemingly long and sometimes bumpy journey. He provided knowledge and expertise on several levels and continually challenged me to grow as a professional, both as a student of the history of education and as a historian of women’s history. I will always be grateful to Dr. Patrick Manning for convincing me that this was possible. His encouragement and support have never wavered. As a scholar, as a mentor, and as a friend, his calm and thoughtful advice continues to encourage and inspire me, even as I begin this new career path. Dr. James B. Kracht was the first to suggest that I pursue a doctoral degree, and I am grateful that he recognized qualities in me that, at the time, I did not. Dr. M. Carolyn Clark helped me clarify and refine my thinking about teaching and learning, especially from a feminist perspective. Dr. Anthony N. Stranges helped expand my vision of world history through his knowledge of the history of science. I also want to thank my friends and colleagues from Stephen F. Austin State University, Dr. Janet Tareilo, Dr. Julia Ballenger, and Dr. Dana Cooper, who gave of their time to read chapters of my dissertation and make suggestions. Dr. Lee Stewart, also of Stephen F. Austin State University, provided much needed technical advice and did so in a manner that always made me feel like a valued colleague. I also wish to thank my friend and historian Betty Chapman, whose knowledge of historical Houston and Houston women was invaluable in completing this study. Her vii willingness to find and to share seemingly small bits and pieces of the historical puzzle that was the role of women in Houston speaks volumes about her commitment to making known the achievements of women in history. Finally, I wish to express my thanks to my editor, Marilyn Oliva, who stayed with me through trials, tribulations, and the Chicago format. Thank you for helping make this possible. viii ABBREVIATIONS BCP: Billie Carr Political Papers, Woodson Research Center, Rice University. CAP: Christia Adair Papers, Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library. CC: John and Ethelyn Chisum Collection, Dallas Public Library. CFWC: City Federation of Women’s Clubs, Afro-American Collection, Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library. ERCP: Elizabeth Richardson Cherry Papers, Archives, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. FRP: Frankie Randolph Papers, Woodson Research Center, Rice University. HFR: Hogg Foundation for Mental Health Records, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. HTU: Registrar’s Office, Huston-Tillotson University. IHP: Ima Hogg Papers, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. IHPC: Ima Hogg Symphony Program Collection, The University of Houston. JMP: Jane Y. McCallum Family Papers, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. JSHP: James Stephen Hogg Papers, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. MFA: Ima Hogg Collection, Archives, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas. MFC: Minnie Fisher Cunningham Papers, Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library. MRC: Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library. ix RGE: Women’s Clubs of Houston Collection, Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library. TTWC: Tula Townshend Wyatt Collection, San Marcos Hayes County Collection, San Marcos Public Library. WHP: William C. Hogg Papers, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin. x TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION ...................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................. vi ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................................... viii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................... x CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ............................................................................. 1 Research Questions ....................................................................... 4 Definition of Terms ....................................................................... 5 Methodology ................................................................................. 6 Perspectives ..................................................................................