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Barbara Thompson (politician)

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Barbara Thompson
22nd Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin
In office
July 2, 1973 – July 6, 1981
Preceded byWilliam C. Kahl
Succeeded byHerbert J. Grover
Personal details
Born
Barbara Ruth Storck

(1924-10-15)October 15, 1924
McFarland, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedSeptember 23, 2010(2010-09-23) (aged 85)
Bradenton, Florida, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Platteville
University of Wisconsin–Madison
OccupationEducator

Barbara Thompson (October 15, 1924 – September 23, 2010) was an American educator and the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin from 1973 to 1981.

Born in McFarland, Wisconsin, and raised on a dairy and tobacco farm, the former Barbara Ruth Storck graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville in 1956 and received her master's degree and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[1] Initially, Thompson started to teach in a one-room schoolhouse and was a school administrator.[2] She campaigned for the State Superintendent office, while recovering from a broken arm in 1973, and was the first woman to be elected to the office.[3] During her administration, the teachers in Hortonville, Wisconsin, went on strike. Thompson also required teachers in Wisconsin to go through continuing education and to have their teachers licenses renewed once every five years. She died in Bradenton, Florida.[4]

References

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  1. ^ The State of Wisconsin 1975 Blue Book, Biographical Sketch of Barbara Thompson, p. 6.
  2. ^ "Barbara Storck Thompson". Wisconsin State Journal. November 1, 1970. p. 78. Retrieved July 13, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ "Barbara Thompson Takes Oath Monday". The La Crosse Tribune. July 1, 1977. p. 14. Retrieved July 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Obituary
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