Elise Brookfield Heinz (January 14, 1935 – January 19, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician. She was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1981,[1][2] representing the 23rd district as a Democrat.[3]
Elise B. Heinz | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Arlington and Alexandria | |
| In office January 11, 1978 – January 12, 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Ira M. Lechner |
| Succeeded by | Warren G. Stambaugh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 14, 1935 Plainfield, New Jersey |
| Died | January 19, 2014 (aged 79) Arlington, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | James E. Clayton |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Wellesley College, Harvard Law School |
Early life and education
editHeinz was born on January 14, 1935,[2] in Plainfield, New Jersey, and grew up in Alexandria, Virginia.[1] She graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in 1955 and received a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1961.[1][4] In her third year at Harvard she was the only woman on Law Review.
Career
editHeinz was challenged to find employment merited by her achievement at Harvard. Heinz clerked for U.S. Judge David Bazelon, worked as a lawyer in private practice, and handled cases pro bono for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Women's Legal Defense Fund.[1] Heinz became known for campaigning for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and as of 1973, helped lead the National Organization for Women in Virginia.[5] In 1974, Heinz represented John Patler in the unsuccessful appeal of his conviction for the murder of George Lincoln Rockwell, founder of the American Nazi Party.[6] As of 1975, she ran ERA-Central, a pro-ERA organization.[7]
Heinz won election to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1977, and won re-election once, but her district consisting of parts of both Arlington and Alexandria was eliminated in the redistricting following the 1980 census. She challenged the three other Arlington incumbent Democrats and lost the primary in September, 1981.[8]
Heinz died on January 19, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e McDonough, Megan (January 27, 2014). "Elise B. Heinz, lawyer and former Virginia delegate". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Elise B. Heinz". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Clements, John, ed. (1979). Taylor's Encyclopedia of Government Officials, Federal and State. Vol. 7. Political Research, Inc. p. 166. ISSN 0082-2183.
- ^ "Elise B. Heinz, Wellesley '60 [sic], Betrothed to James B. Clayton". The New York Times. February 26, 1961. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Wille, Lois; Moore, Tricia (February 15, 1973). "Opponents blast women's rights". The Herald-News. p. 39.
- ^ "Convicted Killer Seeks New Trial". Hartford Courant. April 3, 1974. p. 86.
- ^ Jeffrey, Tina (January 23, 1975). "The ERA Rides Again". Daily Press. p. 8.
- ^ Two Upset in Virginia: Heinz, Pepper Lose Reelection Tries In Virginia Races Incumbents Heinz, Pepper Lose In Northern Virginia Primaries, Washington Post (September 9, 1981 p. A1