Dinner with Evelyn Gandy by Mary Morgan

Dinner with Evelyn Gandy by Mary Morgan - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

The historical figure I have chosen to invite to dinner is a Mississippian Evelyn Gandy, a more current historical figure who played an important role in introducing and encouraging women to enter politics which is why I would ask her to dinner. At the dinner, we will discuss four issues of current interest.
Since I was a little girl, I have heard my mother, aunt, and grandparents speak fondly of Miss Gandy. According to them, she was far ahead of her time promoting women’s opportunities and encouraging women to public office in Mississippi.
Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Miss Gandy graduated from Hattiesburg High School, attended the University of Mississippi Law School where she was the first woman president of that student body and first woman editor of the law journal. Her parents encouraged her to believe that gender should not stop success in whatever she chose to do. In 1947, Forrest County chose her to represent them in the House of Representatives (1948 -1952). This launched Miss Gandy’s political career that lasted almost forty years.
She served Mississippi with honor, dignity, and integrity as an assistant attorney general (1959), State Treasure (1960-1964, 1968-1972), Commissioner of Public Welfare (1964-1967), Insurance Commissioner (1972-1976) and Lt. Governor (1976-1980).
Miss Gandy was the first woman to serve in each of these offices. She became a trail blazer and role model for women and men seeking public office in Mississippi. Evelyn Gandy received numerous honors and awards including the Margaret Brent Award from the American Bar Association for paving the way to the success for female attorneys. In accepting this award, Gandy stated, “Our civilization will truly never be refined until men and women work together in every phase of our society.” In 2002, the Mississippi Legislature honored her by passing a law which named a segment of State Highway 42 the Evelyn Gandy Parkway.
After introducing Miss Gandy to you, I would like to share the discussion I want to have with her at dinner. First, as a woman did she ever have problems performing all her duties in politics. Second, I would also like to ask her if she is happy with the number of women serving the State legislature today. For the third discussion, I would ask Miss Gandy if she thinks this country is ready for a woman President in 2016. Last, I would like to know what she thinks about civility in politics today. These questions should lead to a long interesting dinner. Evelyn Gandy has been the leading lady of Mississippi politics, and her achievements as a public official have established for her a lasting place in Mississippi and American History. Evelyn Gandy died December 23, 2007 at the age of 87.