Texas First Lady Anita Perry
First Lady Anita Perry is a native Texan from Haskell. She has a long-standing commitment to and passion for health care issues, which have helped guide her in her role as first lady. Inspired by her father’s life service as a family physician, Mrs. Perry spent 17 years working in the health-care field.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from West Texas State University, now West Texas A&M University, and a master’s degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, she held varied nursing positions in the areas of surgery, pediatrics, intensive care, administration and teaching.
As Texas’ First Lady, Mrs. Perry continues to improve the wellbeing of Texans by promoting vital health care issues, encouraging young Texans to aid in the critical nursing shortage, and speaking on health concerns that affect Texans of all ages, such as heart disease prevention and breast cancer awareness. She and Gov. Rick Perry also support the annual Texas Round-Up, a statewide fitness initiative helping Texans become active and more physically fit, which they first launched in 2004.
As a strong supporter of childhood immunizations, the March of Dimes invited Mrs. Perry to serve as the national chair for childhood immunization and speak at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Salk polio vaccine clinical field trials.
As a dedicated representative of Texas tourism and economic development, the First Lady has led tourism missions of Texas delegates to Japan, Germany and New York, and was recently honored by the Texas Travel Industry Association with the Silver Spur Award for her support of Texas travel. Mrs. Perry is committed to enhancing Texas’ expansion into international tourism markets and promoting Texas as a prime location for business and trade.
The First Lady also is active in the historic preservation of Texas’ cultural landmarks and communities. She plays a dynamic role in the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) annual Main Street program, and travels the state educating Texans on the importance of restoration and preservation in revitalizing communities. In July 2008, the THC designated a new recognition to honor communities that demonstrate a high level of creativity and ingenuity. Named the First Lady’s Texas Treasures Award, Mrs. Perry serves as honorary chair of this endeavor to bring attention to small towns that work hard to preserve their authentic Texas sense of place.
Following the devastating fire at the Governor’s Mansion in June 2008, the First Lady founded the Texas Governor’s Mansion Restoration Fund. Restoration of the 152-year-old Texas treasure will come from a public/private partnership and Mrs. Perry is spearheading the private funding effort by traveling the state to increase awareness and raise money to restore "the peoples’ house".
Mrs. Perry is a firm believer in empowering Texas women and, with her husband Gov. Rick Perry, developed the renowned Texas Conference for Women. As the premier educational and networking event for women, the conference draws together thousands of Texans and addresses numerous issues facing women including professional development, health care and personal growth.
The First Lady is also focused on improving education and literacy of Texans, and has been honored by the Girls and Boys Town of San Antonio for her positive impact on youth. The First Lady annually participates in the international Scholastic reading campaign, most recently serving as a U.S. ambassador of reading during the Read for 2007 program, and is a former national co-chair of the Scholastic Read for 2005 initiative.
Mrs. Perry has been honored by both her alma maters, which have set up endowments in her name. The Anita Thigpen Perry Nursing Excellence Scholarship provides financial support to students admitted to West Texas A&M University’s School of Nursing; and the Anita Thigpen Perry Endowment at the Health Science Center of the University of Texas at San Antonio, supports the Center for Community-Based Health Promotion in Women and Children. Texas Tech University Health Science Center recognized her commitment to healthcare by naming its nursing school after her. The Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing was dedicated in August 2008.
The Perrys are the proud parents of son Griffin, and daughter Sydney.
