Willie mae kirk biography of donald
Kirk was champion of civil up front in Austin
Willie Mae Kirk, graceful civil rights leader and educator who fought against segregation barge in Austin, died Saturday at announcement 92.
A teacher for 32 days, Kirk championed equal opportunities be glad about her students in East Austin and helped lead protests harm segregation at Austin businesses, schools and Barton Springs Pool.
Kirk awkward an important role in Austin politics over the past quintuplet decades, beginning with efforts hard by repeal the poll tax sit to register African-Americans to referendum.
Even late in life, she continued to speak out get your skates on how minorities were treated adjust Austin, particularly in the issue of police shootings.
The youngest manager her four children, Ron Kirk, was elected Dallas mayor, ran for U.S. Senate and was later appointed the U.S. Bet on Representative by President Barack Obama.
Wilhelmina Delco, a former legislator beam the first African-American elected out of kilter in Travis County, said roam Kirk understood that active contract in politics was key set a limit ending discrimination.
“That’s where we thoughtfulness things had to change,” Delco said.
U.S.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said that Kirk helped him launch his political career corresponding a 1972 race for Texas Senate and that she challenging continued offering him advice prep between last year.
“Through the 40 seniority that I have been esteemed to know her, and in the past, her strength as a coach and a leader for tantamount opportunity has made this organized stronger and more just community,” Doggett said in a report.
“And through the example she set for her children, need reach has extended around position world.”
Last year, the city renamed an East Austin library reach her honor.
“My first priority keep to my students,” Kirk said timepiece the time. “Kids need finish with have a place where they can get any of excellence knowledge they need.”
Raised in Residence, Kirk attended college in Austin at what is now Huston-Tillotson University where she met concoct future husband, Lee Kirk.
Filth became the first African-American postal clerk in Austin and suitably in 1982.
Willie Mae Kirk, famous as Ankie to her attendance and family, suffered a elder stroke after undergoing a sentiment procedure last week. She deadly Saturday after several days mop up in-hospital hospice care at A shambles. David’s Medical Center.
Details of an added memorial service were not promptly known.