MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2008 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hewes, King, Hudson, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Dawkins, Dickerson, Fillingane, Harden, Hopson, Horhn, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Nunnelee, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Walls, Ward, Watson, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR EVELYN GANDY, THE FIRST WOMAN IN MISSISSIPPI HISTORY ELECTED TO THE OFFICES OF STATE TREASURER, COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Evelyn Gandy, affectionately known as "Miss Evelyn" by friend and political opponent alike, died Sunday, December 23, 2007, at her home near Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She was 87; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn Gandy was a truly remarkable woman who devoted her life to public service for the betterment of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Miss Gandy's career was one of political achievement. She became one of the most recognized and beloved state political figures in a career of personal and political achievement that spanned more than 50 years; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn Gandy had entered the political world working for former Senator Theo Bilbo. She graduated from law school in 1947, and in 1948 was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1960, she became the first woman in the state elected State Treasurer, in 1972 State Insurance Commissioner, and in 1976, she became the state's first female Lieutenant Governor. She also served in top state appointive positions of Commissioner of Public Welfare and as an Assistant Attorney General; and
WHEREAS, any one of those positions would have been an achievement for the times, but she continued to tackle higher political goals. She finally sought the state's highest position, but lost gubernatorial campaigns in 1979 and 1983; and
WHEREAS, the only other female Lieutenant Governor, Amy Tuck, called Miss Gandy a "role model." "She served Mississippi with distinction and always remained the hospitable Southern lady, full of grace and wisdom"; and
WHEREAS, Governor Haley Barbour remembered Miss Gandy as the woman who broke the state's political gender barrier. "Evelyn Gandy was a pathfinder in Mississippi. She broke the glass ceiling for women in politics and government and did it with dignity and calm effectiveness"; and
WHEREAS, former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Kay Cobb of Oxford noted that for many years the female members of The Mississippi Bar attended an annual retreat, affectionately known as "The Gandy" after Miss Gandy's legacy to the practice of law; and
WHEREAS, during her term as Lieutenant Governor from 1976-1980, Miss Gandy presided over a State Senate comprised of 52 strong-minded men, but there was no question that Miss Gandy was the leader of the Senate. In an historical moment, she voted to break a tie that led to passage of a law requiring that leases on school lands be based on the land's true value. She left behind a legacy of major achievements throughout her tenure in the Mississippi Legislature and was a champion of social issues particularly for the recipients of mental health services; and
WHEREAS, she was preceded in death by her parents, Kearney C. and Abbie Gandy and two sisters, Frances Gandy and Mary Katherine Gandy; and
WHEREAS, Miss Gandy's career inspired and opened the door for other female politicians. She overcame obstacles that cannot be imagined today, and her life stands as a testament to dedication to public service that can inspire all. Her strength and character leave an example for emulation and Mississippians are thankful for Miss Evelyn's life of service:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of public service of former Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Gandy, the first woman in Mississippi history elected to the offices of State Treasurer, Commissioner of Insurance and Lieutenant Governor, and express the sympathy of the Legislature on the passing of this dignified Mississippi political leader.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to The Mississippi Bar and the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.