Fanny Finch Elementary School
McKinney, Collin County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Laura Frances (Fanny) Shipe (1866-1942) was born in Woodstock, Va., and educated in Texas. In 1890, after teaching at McKinney's Collegiate Institute, she married Henry A. Finch (d. 1934), later a Texas legislator and mayor of the city. The couple had 7 children. In 1917 Mrs. Finch became one of the state's first women to serve on a school board. A born leader, she helped found such enterprises as the Owl Literary Club and the city's first Garden Club. She and her husband gave sites for a park and a college. This school was named in her honor in 1924.** (1978)***
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Laura Frances "Fanny" Finch taught at McKinney's Collegiate Institute before marrying Henry Finch, a future legislator and mayor, in 1890. In 1917 she became one of the first women in Texas to serve on a school board, and she helped found the city's early literary and garden clubs. A recognized community leader, she was honored when this school was named for her in 1924.
Why it matters
Her school-board seat, won just before women gained the vote nationally, marks the entry of women into the public civic leadership of Progressive-era Texas.
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Related people
- · Fanny Finch
- · Henry A. Finch
Themes & tags
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