Girls State 1959: Pearline Blackmon and Marilyn Tompkins
This is the third story in the series of articles from the October, 1959 “Messenger” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of East High on October 7, 2023.
“Into the shower you must go, Mayor Marilyn,” sang 30 Girl Staters as they dragged their city’s mayor, Marilyn Tompkins, ’60, out of bed at 3 AM and into a cold shower last June at Sunflower Girls State on the Kansas University campus.
Taking care of their own rooms in KU’s new J. R. Pearson dormitory, eating at the Student Union, and learning about the workings of state and local government were some of the activities of 375 Kansas high school junior girls from June 7 to 13. These girls were selected by school officials and members of the American Legion Auxiliary on the basis of grades, activities, personality, and potential as future citizens.
Eight semi-finalists were chosen from the 15 East High girls who applied to Miss Flora Stebbins, assistant principal, last March. A later interview by committees of the American Legion Auxiliary which sponsors Girls State determined that Marilyn and Pearline Blackmon, ’60 would represent East. Incidentally, Marilyn was elected to be an alternate to Girls Nation, which was attended by two Sunflower Girl Staters.
For the purpose of learning about government and politics, Girls Staters were divided into six counties of two cities each. Every political division elected its own officers and carried on business in the same manner as actual governments. Pearline, chosen city clerk and county attorney, and Marilyn, elected city mayor and state senator, participated in governing activities.
“After actually carrying out the administrative and legislative duties of office, we can be more easily understand the problems of our elected officials,” stated Marilyn.
Lectures by members of the KU faculty, by elected officials such as Governor Docking, and by political party leaders stressed such ideas as the place of women in politics and the importance of politics and government to the American way of life.
“Vigorous campaigning for office by all of the girls made every minute exciting,” said Pearline. “Everyone had exactly the same campaign materials to work with, NOTHING could be brought from home. We really had to exercise our originality!”
High academic standing, work in extra-curricular activities, congenial personality, and an interest in politics and government are requisites for Girls Staters. East’s ’59 representatives heartily recommended that junior girls “start thinking about Girls State now, and work toward it.”
Like many 1960 Aces, Pearline and Marilyn went on to provide active and effective leadership in their communities.
Pearline Blackmon – Pearline joined “Zooming with the Aces” in spring 2021. At that time, she was looking forward to a national meeting Florida of United Women in Faith, previously United Methodist Woman. She has been very active in this organization at the local, state, regional, and national levels and has held leadership positions for years.
Marilyn Tompkins Bellert – After a decade of work for the League of Women Voters, especially on environmental issues, Marilyn ran for office and won. She served on school boards at local and state levels as both an elected and an appointed official for 20 years. Her expertise in leading education policy led to appointments representing the state of Illinois on national boards responsible for the National Assessment of Educational Progress and for teacher training. In recent years, she has served on boards of directors for schools in Tanzania and Kenya.
It is important to reflect on organizations that promoted women to more public positions in the structure of our culture. The Girls State model was a successful training and should be embedded into all students education for citizenship. These girls were ahead of their time for realizing public political places and had the insight to participate in significant roles. Organizations like that are valuable for allowing women a rich appreciation and participation in a full life. Marilyn and Pearline successfully used their training.