Full Name Rita Crocker Known for First Lady of Texas | Name Rita Clements | |
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Born October 30, 1931 (age 92) ( 1931-10-30 ) Newton, Kansas Spouse(s) Richard Daniel Bass 1952–1974
Bill Clements 1975–2011 (his death) Alma mater University of Texas at Austin | ||
Rita Crocker Clements (born October 30, 1931) is a Republican Party organizer, heritage preservationist, and former First Lady of the U.S. state of Texas.
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Early life
She was born in Newton, Kansas on October 30, 1931 to rancher and political activist Mason Crocker and his wife Florabel. The family relocated to Brady, Texas when she was 10 years old. She graduated from the Hockaday School in 1949. She then graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1953. Her 1952 marriage to Richard Daniel Bass produced four children. They divorced in 1974. In 1975, she married Bill Clements.
Political career
Clements began her political career as a volunteer for the 1952 Dwight D. Eisenhower campaign for President of the United States. By 1958, she had risen to Republican party precinct chairman in Dallas County. Her continued involvement in party politics helped elect John Tower to the United States Senate in 1961. She served as state co-chair of the 1964 committee for the Barry Goldwater presidential campaign. Clements was appointed to the Republican National Committee in 1973. She was First Lady of Texas during the two non-consecutive terms (1979–1983 and 1987–1991) of her husband Governor Bill Clements. During 1979–1982, she spearheaded the renovation of the Texas Governor's Mansion. She and the Governor founded the non-profit organization Friends of the Governor's Mansion to raise private money for the project, as well as to fund future maintenance of the mansion. The non-profit organization initially raised $3 million. The state legislature appropriated an additional $1 million for the restoration.
Later life
Clements has continued to be active in civic organizations and advocacy of women's issues. She has served on the boards of La Quinta Motor Inns and the Dr Pepper Company. She is an advocate for heritage preservation, and speaks out on volunteerism and educational issues. In 1996, she was appointed to the University of Texas Board of Regents by Governor George W. Bush, and re-appointed by Governor Rick Perry, serving until November 2007. She was elected to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1996.