South Oak Cliff High School - Den Yearbook (Dallas, TX)

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Dallas by day is a city of extremes: from cul- ture to industry, from the beauty of Turtle Creek to the slums, from intellectual centers to the fair grounds-all are our city.

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Let a woman put your House in order, was the winning slogan for Texas' first woman legislator from Ellis County. This catchy phrase may well be the motto our own Mrs. Rae Files Still has lived by since leaving the community of Ellis Valley in Central Texas, which was named for her pioneer family. After a campaign in which she made 34 speeches and lost 13 pounds, Rae Files, an unmarried schoolmarm, won a place in the 47th Legislature. She endured for 10 years the brunt of all the iokes aimed at her, one of two female lawmakers midst 181 males and, as one newspaper reported, never lost her sense of humor. She not only endured, in 1950, she found time to write a book entitled, The Gilmer-Aiken Bills, which is a study of legislative process. Mrs. Still played a leading role in every step of the lawmaking process which resulted in the passage of the bill by the same name bringing about extensive reform in the school system of Texas. ln addition Mrs. Still also served as chairman of the House Committee on Education, and was honored in 1956, by receiving the Distinctive Service Award from the Texas State Teachers Association. After returning to the teaching profession, Mrs. Still taught school in Germany for two years during which time she toured Europe and Asia extensively. Some of her stopping places included: Russia, India, Turkey, Greece, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Holland, France, Spain, and England. Mrs. Still has taught students of all ages history, economics, civics, and English for 35 years, 8 of which have been spent at South Oak Cliff. She attained her master's degree in government after attending Texas Presbyterian College and the University of Texas. As a teacher at South Oak Cliff, she has unknowingly influenced many students in their decision to continue their education. In her classroom, a deep insight into world affairs and life are brought to light by her witty sayings written on the black board each day. Through her tireless efforts, she attempts to make each student more aware of his responsibility not only to his country, but to himself as well. Her personality is so dynamic, it causes one to wonder what she possesses that enables her to accomplish so much and still have the desire to do more. ln the presence of such a person, students feel compelled to do their best-to give their all. As she has dedicated her life to the teaching profession, we, the '64 DEN Staff, wish to dedicate our yearbook, as a semblance of our appreciation, to an individual who has succeeded not only in putting her house in order, but also the lives of many students at South Oak Cliff.

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Turtle Creek Public Library A A Love Field State Fair