Margie Neal

The plaque names her firsts; the Handbook of Texas records what she did with the Senate seat. Elected in 1926 from the Second Senatorial District, she served four consecutive terms and chaired the Education Affairs committee from 1929 to 1933. She pressed for an official state song, approved in May 1929. On September 28, 1931, she filibustered until 6 p.m. against Governor Ross Sterling's plan to lease the Sabine River bed for oil drilling, fearing for Longview's water; the legislature passed it anyway. In 1932 she co-authored the resolution that led to the 1936 centennial.

What the plaque says

Margie Neal (1875-1971) A native of Panola County, Margie Elizabeth Neal began her career as a teacher in 1893. She became editor and owner of the East Texas Register newspaper in 1904. A respected educator and leader in the woman suffrage movement, she was the first woman appointed to the State Normal School Board of Regents in 1921. Five years later she made history as the first woman elected to the Texas Senate. After serving in several Federal positions in Washington, she returned to Carthage in 1945 and was active in civic affairs for many years. (1988)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Tex Ritter Museum and Texas Country Music Hall of Fame — 0.3 mi
  Carthage's country music museum, with Tex Ritter's boots, guitars and saddles in a room styled like a movie theater, and exhibits on other Texas stars, Jim Reeves among them.

More markers nearby

• Jonathan Anderson — steps away
• Carthage Book Club — steps away
• The Panola Watchman — steps away
• Central Baptist Church — steps away