Helen Elsie Austin (1908 - 2004)

Born 10 May 1908 in Tuskegee Institute, Macon, Alabama, United States

Died 26 Oct 2004 at age 96 in San Antonio Texas

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Biography

Elsie Austin is Notable.

H. Elsie Austin was an American attorney, civil rights leader, and diplomat from the Midwest. ^[1]

Family and Birth

Helen Austin was born 10 May 1908 at the Tuskegee Institute where both her parents worked. Her mother was Mary Louise Dotson and her father was George J. Austin. Elsie also had a brother, George J. Austin, Jr.

Education and Profession

Elsie Austin was the first African American woman to graduate from Cincinnati College of Law, 1930. She achieved a Doctor of Law degree from Wilberforce University in 1938.

"She was the first black woman to serve as Assistant Attorney General in Ohio (1937–38) and became legal advisor to the District of Columbia government in 1939. As a US Foreign Service Officer from 1960–1970, she served as a Cultural attaché with the United States Information Agency in Lagos, Nigeria and later in Nairobi, Kenya." ^{[2] [3]}

Baha'i Faith

Elsie enrolled in the Baha'i Faith in Cincinnati, Ohio on 24 July, 1935. Her comment was: "Have conducted study class since Race Amity Conference in April 1935". This means she conducted classes concerning race amity and the Baha'i Faith prior to enrolling.^[4]

Death and burial

Dr. Elsie Austin passed away in 26 October 2004 from congestive heart failure complicated by asthma. Describing her as a "dearly loved, keen-sighted, stalwart promoter and defender of the Cause of God," the Universal House of Justice said "the shining example of her sacrificial life will remain a source of inspiration to her fellow believers for generations to come." She is buried at Mission Burial Park North in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia: Helen Elsie Austin
2. ↑ a Grave, database and images: accessed 17 March 2023), memorial page for Dr Helen Elsie Austin (10 May 1908–26 Oct 2004), Find A Grave: Memorial #176129264, citing Mission Burial Park North, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA; Burial Details Unknown; Maintained by Baha'i Gravefinders (contributor 51379309).
3. ↑ Etter-Lewis & Thomas. 2006. Lights of the Spirit: Historical Portraits of Black Baha'is in North America: 1898-2000. pg.38. Wilmette, Illinois
4. ↑ [1]
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176129264/helen-elsie-austin: accessed 17 March 2023), memorial page for Dr Helen Elsie Austin (10 May 1908–26 Oct 2004), Find A Grave: Memorial #176129264, citing Mission Burial Park North, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA; Burial Details Unknown; Maintained by Baha'i Gravefinders (contributor 51379309).