Pauline "Polly" Ehrlich Shackleton (June 19, 1910 – July 14, 1997)''U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014'' was an American Democratic politician in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

She was elected as one of the original members of the Council of the District of Columbia in 1974 when D.C. gained home rule. She represented Ward 3 on the council from 1975 to 1987.

Early life and career

Shackleton was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. Before moving to Washington, D.C. in 1939, she worked on Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential campaign, giving her a first taste of politics. Her early career included being an editor for ''Who's Who in American Art'', as well as the ''American Art Annual''. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, Shackleton worked as an information specialist and researcher for the

Office of War Information The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was a United States government agency created during World War II. The OWI operated from June 1942 until September 1945. Through radio broadcasts, newspapers, posters, photographs, films and other ...

. She also held a position at the

American Institute of Architects The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to su ...

from 1951 to 1962.Guide to the Polly Shackleton Papers, 1894-1997
Special Collections Research Center, Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library, The George Washington University

Political career

Shackleton first participated in D.C. politics during the 1950s. When Adlai Stevenson ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1952, she was actively involved in his campaign. Once Stevenson received the nomination, she became a member of the Democratic Central Committee, as well as an alternate Democratic National Committeewoman. In 1956, her political involvement expanded when she became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and served on the platform committee. Eleven years later in 1967, President

Johnson Johnson is a surname of Anglo-Norman origin meaning "Son of John". It is the second most common in the United States and 154th most common in the world. As a common family name in Scotland, Johnson is occasionally a variation of ''Johnston'', a ...

appointed Shackleton to the first D.C. City Council. When the District held its first elected Council in 1974, Shackleton received one of the seats. After being elected to additional terms in 1978 and 1982, she retired from public office in 1986. During her tenure on the Council, Shackleton served on various committees dedicated to health and welfare, citizen's rights, and childcare. She was well known for her social efforts for the poor, children, elderly, and infirm. Shackleton also advocated for District Home Rule and National Representation. When it came to issues surrounding transportation, she supported METRO legislation and the building of bicycle paths. In addition, she was an active supporter of Project Pride, a D.C. summer program involving youth who built community while beautifying various parts of the city. Her efforts in office aided in the passing of 60 pieces of legislation that later became D.C. law.

References

External links

Guide to the Polly Shackleton Papers, 1894-1997, Special Collections Research Center, Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library, The George Washington University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shackleton, Polly 1910 births 1997 deaths Members of the Council of the District of Columbia Politicians from Brookline, Massachusetts People of the United States Office of War Information Women city councillors in the District of Columbia 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American women politicians American women civilians in World War II