Margie Neal

Margie Elizabeth Neal (April 20, 1875 – December 19, 1971) was a Texas journalist and politician. She was the first woman elected to the Texas State Senate, in 1926.

Early life and education Neal was born near Clayton, Texas, and was the daughter of William Lafayette and Martha (Gholston) Neal, who had both come to Texas from Georgia in search of better opportunities. Second of four children, she lived in nearby Carthage for much of her life. It was in Carthage that she had her first encounter with state politics, when Governor of Texas John Ireland came to speak in 1885 or 1886; she would later speak of the impression which his visit had made on her. Her return was due primarily to the failing health of her mother. Hers was the bill that, in 1928, created the Texas State Board of Education, and she sponsored a bill introducing physical education into schools.

Neal was the only woman in the entire legislature for the first of her four terms; she remained the only woman in the Senate until her departure. Hobby had known her since her time in the State Senate.