Patterson, Elizabeth J. (1939–)
Patterson, Elizabeth J. (1939–)
American politician. Born Elizabeth Johnston, Nov 18, 1939, in Columbia, South Carolina; dau. of Olin D. Johnston (1896–1965, former governor of South Carolina as well as US senator, 1945–65) and Gladys Atkinson Johnston; Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina, BA in political science, 1961; graduate study at University of South Carolina, 1961–62; m. Dwight Fleming Patterson Jr., 1967; children: Dwight Fleming DeWitt Patterson; Catherine Leigh Patterson.
Served as recruiting officer for Peace Corps (1962–64) and VISTA (1965–67); was director of a Head Start program (1967–68) and staff assistant for Representative James R. Mann (1969–70); served on Spartanburg Co. Council (1975–76); was a member of South Carolina senate (1979–86); elected as a Democrat to 100th and to 2 succeeding Congresses (Jan 3, 1987–Jan 3, 1993); sat on Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs, and the Select Committee on Hunger.
See also Women in World History.