Rhodes, Doris Lindsey Holland

Submitted by St. Helena Historical Association, Jul. 1998
Source: St. Helena Historical Association Quarterly, Spring, 1998, Issue Fifty-five
Published by the St. Helena Historical Association, Route 1, Box 131, Amite, LA 70422

Louisiana House of Representatives, 1940 - 1948 The photograph of Mrs. Rhodes was made at the height of her busy career in 1947 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

St. Helena native Doris Lindsey Holland Rhodes had the distinction of being the first woman legislator in Louisiana That came about with her appointment in May, 1936, to fill the unexpired term of her husband, State Senator Thomas Myers Holland. His untimely death left Mrs. Holland with two small children, Philip and Dorothy Jane, to rear as well as the family paper the St. Helena Echo to run. Mrs. Holland sought a seat in her own right the following term and was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. She served in that body for two terms from 1940 to 1948.

Leaving public office she continued an active life. She served as publisher and editor of the St. Helena Echo until she married James Harrell Rhodes, a prominent banker and merchant of Zachary, Louisiana. Mrs. Rhodes made her home there until his death. She returned to Greensburg in her later years and remained busy until ill health confined her to her bed.

In 1992 at the Governor's Conference on Women, Governor Edwin Edwards honored Mrs. Rhodes with a public service award. She was also recognized by Nicholls State University Center for Women and Government for her contributions. In 1994 she was inducted as a charter member into the Hall of Fame for Women and Government.

Among Mrs. Rhodes' activities were membership in the Zachary United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, board member of the Alumni of the Louisiana Legislature, associate member of the Music Club of Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Garden Club, Louisiana Colonials, and Halimah Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mrs. Rhodes was born December 12,1909, the daughter of Hollis Womack Lindsey and Minerva Thompson Lindsey. She died May 30, 1997 and was buried in Greensburg.