Evelyn Gandy

Edythe Evelyn Gandy (September 4, 1920 – December 23, 2007) was an American politician and lawyer. Gandy was the second female elected under a statewide office in Mississippi. That was Mississippi State Treasurer. The first female was Nellah Massey Bailey. Bailey was elected the State Tax Collector in 1947. Gandy was later elected the insurance commissioner and 26th Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi.

Gandy was a member under the United States' Democratic Party. In 1947, she was elected to Mississippi House of Representatives from Forrest County. 

In 1959, Gandy was the first woman elected the Mississippi Assistant Attorney General. Later that year, she became the state treasurer.

Gandy ran twice for the Governor of Mississippi. Both times, she was defeated.

Death
Gandy was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She died after a long bout having progressive supranuclear palsy, a condition similar to Parkinson's disease.

The legacy
In 2006, the Evelyn Gandy Parkway was opened just outside of Petal in her native Forrest County.

Awards and honors
State of Alabama Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Aide-de-camp, commissioned by Alabama Governor George Wallace; 1972
State of Kentucky Kentucky Colonel, commissioned by Kentucky Governor Wendell H. Ford; 1972
Mississippi College Service of Humanity Award; 1976
Blue Mountain College Honorary Degree of Doctor of Law; 1977
Paul Harris Fellow-Rotary Club 1978;
National Mental Health Association Humanitarian Award; 1979
Mississippi State University Mississippi Woman of the Year Award; 1980
State of Mississippi Mississippian of the Year in Government; 1981
Exchange Club "Golden Deeds" Award; 1982
Mississippi College School of Law Award for Excellence in Law; 1984
Mississippi Women's Political Caucus Susan B. Anthony Award for Outstanding Service to the State of Mississippi; 1984
University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame;1985
Mississippi University for Women Medal of Excellence;1991
The Mississippi Bar Lifetime Achievement Award; 1994
Women's Political Network First Annual Award for Distinguished Service; 1994
Mississippi Democratic Party James O. Eastland Award; 1995
American Bar Association Margaret Brant Women Lawyers of Achievement Award; 1997
Mississippi Association of Women Lawyers Lifetime Achievement Award; 1998
Hattiesburg Women's Forum Leadership Award; 1998
Lindy Boggs Women in Public Service Award; 1998
The Mississippi Bar Chief Justice Award; 1998
The Mississippi Bar Susie Blue Buchanan Award; 2003

References

Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:1920 births
Category:2007 deaths
Category:Lieutenant Governors of Mississippi