Research Catalog

Title

Once in a lifetime : reflections of a Mississippi first lady : from journals recorded during the governorship of William F. Winter, 1980-1984 / Elise Varner Winter ; edited by JoAnne Prichard Morris.

Author

Winter, Elise

Publication

Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, 2015.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Morris, JoAnne Prichard

Description

xxviii, 256 pages : illustrations; 24 cm

Summary

"Once in a Lifetime reveals the broad range of Elise Varner Winter's activities as first lady of Mississippi during the term of her husband, Governor William F. Winter (1980-1984). Drawn from her personal journal, which she kept daily, this account includes the frustrating moments as well as the exhilarating ones, from keeping house to visiting the White House. This book reveals her traditional roles--planner of elegant dinners, sophisticated hostess, hands-on gardener, and steward of the Mansion and its historic collection of antique furniture and decorative arts. But she emerged as a modern first lady, intensely interested in public education and in the state penitentiary, for which she developed several important initiatives. She recounts fascinating events from Governor Winter's administration, its tensions and its accomplishments, such as passage of the Education Reform Act, a success in which Elise Winter played an indispensable role. Many of the issues of thirty years ago remain critical today--insufficient funding for education, budget deficits, prison overcrowding, and the need for prison reform. Elise Winter observes everyone and everything with a fresh eye for detail and describes them all with honesty, clarity, and simplicity. Her observations reflect her intellect and insight, as well as her sense of humor. This is a woman's story, a human story, about hopes and doubts, about setting high standards and sometimes feeling inadequate, and about the imperative of continual efforts to make her state a better place for all who live there"--Provided by publisher.

Alternative Title

Reflections of a Mississippi first lady

Subject

• Winter, Elise
• Winter, William F
• Governors' spouses > Mississippi > Biography
• Governors' spouses
• Mississippi

Genre/Form

Biography.

Note

• Includes index.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

Foreword : no ordinary first lady / JoAnne Prichard Morris -- Introduction : an unexpected life / Elise Varner Winter -- Editor's note -- PART I. AT HOME IN THE MANSION. A precarious beginning -- Life in the Governor's Mansion -- Keeping house in a museum -- Special occasions, special guests -- PART II. PASSAGES : PERSONAL AND POLITICAL. Traveling my state -- Four generations -- The governor's wife -- PART III. FOR A BETTER MISSISSIPPI. Parchman : answering the call -- Education, above all -- A very special session -- PART IV. NOTES FROM THE FINAL YEAR. A search for understanding -- Politics and possibilities -- Parting, in gratitude and faith -- Afterword.

Call Number

ITO 16-3670

ISBN

• 9781628462197
• 1628462191
• 9781626746046 (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

2014037704

OCLC

891369540

Author

Winter, Elise, author.

Title

Once in a lifetime : reflections of a Mississippi first lady : from journals recorded during the governorship of William F. Winter, 1980-1984 / Elise Varner Winter ; edited by JoAnne Prichard Morris.

Publisher

Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, 2015.

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Added Author

Morris, JoAnne Prichard, editor.

Other Form:

Online version: Winter, Elise. Once in a lifetime. Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, [2015] 9781626746046 (DLC) 2014038299

Research Call Number

ITO 16-3670