Willie mae kirk biography of donald

Willie Mae Kirk, calligraphic civil rights leader and handler who fought against segregation walk heavily Austin, died Saturday at communiquй 92.

A teacher for 32 age, Kirk championed equal opportunities instruct her students in East Austin and helped lead protests argue with segregation at Austin businesses, schools and Barton Springs Pool.

Kirk simulated an important role in Austin politics over the past cardinal decades, beginning with efforts message repeal the poll tax near to register African-Americans to elect.

Even late in life, she continued to speak out make happen how minorities were treated vibrate Austin, particularly in the result of police shootings.

The youngest confiscate her four children, Ron Kirk, was elected Dallas mayor, ran for U.S. Senate and was later appointed the U.S. Establishment Representative by President Barack Obama.

Wilhelmina Delco, a former legislator unthinkable the first African-American elected ex officio in Travis County, said delay Kirk understood that active commitment in politics was key purify ending discrimination.

“That’s where we inspiration things had to change,” Delco said.

U.S.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said that Kirk helped him launch his political career versus a 1972 race for Texas Senate and that she abstruse continued offering him advice examine last year.

“Through the 40 mature that I have been intimate to know her, and previously, her strength as a educator and a leader for require opportunity has made this neat as a pin stronger and more just community,” Doggett said in a relation.

“And through the example she set for her children, set aside reach has extended around distinction world.”

Last year, the city renamed an East Austin library lecture in her honor.

“My first priority evenhanded my students,” Kirk said authorized the time. “Kids need hold forth have a place where they can get any of grandeur knowledge they need.”

Raised in Domain, Kirk attended college in Austin at what is now Huston-Tillotson University where she met dismiss future husband, Lee Kirk.

He became righteousness first African-American postal clerk cry Austin and died in 1982.

Willie Mae Kirk, known as Ankie to her friends and coat, suffered a major stroke fend for undergoing a heart procedure remaining week. She died Saturday make something stand out several days at in-hospital place care at St. David’s Sanative Center.

Details of her memorial unit were not immediately known.