Annette Strauss

Strauss immersed herself in volunteer work in the Dallas community, serving on the boards of countless educational, arts, healthcare, and social services organizations. At first she worked on behalf of the Dallas Symphony, then for the Crystal Charity Ball, Southern Methodist University, the United Way, United Jewish Appeal, the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Baylor University Medical Center, and dozens of other groups. She estimated that she raised more than $9 million for various groups.

It was only natural that Mrs. Strauss should seek a seat in the political arena after all her years of successful networking in both business and fundraising. In 1983, she ran for and won an at-large seat in the Dallas City Council. She became deputy mayor pro tem and then mayor pro tem in 1984. In 1987, with a campaign promise to be mayor for all the people, Strauss summed up by her 42 years work for the city, and Dallas' old guard awoke to a new mayor who was Jewish, a woman, and a Democrat with 56% of the vote. Strauss was known for her ability to build consensus across economic and political strata. Annette Strauss left her mayoral duties behind in 1991 and became a public relations consultant for Levenson, Levenson & Hill of Irving. Subsequently, she was appointed Ambassador-at-Large for the city of Dallas, a position she held until her death on December 14, 1998.

View Annette Strauss' video or read the transcript

Learn More

• Annette Strauss Institute
• Wikipedia entry "Annette Strauss"
• List of Dallas Mayors
• The City of Dallas

• Politics of the Moment
  
  Trustee: Annette Strauss
  Grade: 10-12
  Time: 90 minutes
  Description: Students will discuss the qualities, character traits and actions of a politician that understood ?the politics of the moment.?
  
  
• Nominate An American Trustee
  
  Trustees: All
  Grade Level: 9-12
  Time:5-6 45 minutes classes
  Description:The students will define community leadership, conduct library and internet research, write a report on a community leader and submit the nominee on the website.
  
  
• Running As A Woman
  
  Grade Level: 10-12
  Time:70 minutes
  Description:Students will evaluate campaign marterials, examine and debate the idea of a candidate "running as a woman," and appraise women's presence in politics.
  
  

AND if desired,
Download plug-in to view MS Office content