Anita Perry Gown On Display At TWU

10/1/04

DENTON — Visitors to Texas Woman's University now can rub shoulders with the state's first lady Anita Perry, or rather with the blue-gold couture evening gown she wore for her husband’s inauguration as governor.

Mrs. Perry’s dress is the latest addition to a collection of 40 gowns housed at TWU in Denton. Her gown is on display in the Texas Women's Hall of Fame, located in TWU's Hubbard Hall. The Hall of Fame, which falls under the umbrella of the Governor’s Commission for Women, was created to honor the state’s most outstanding women, including former first ladies, teachers, athletes and astronauts. Currently, 114 women have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Admission to the Hall of Fame and gowns collection is free. Both exhibits are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except during university holidays. Special arrangements for groups wishing to visit the exhibits on other days and times can be made through TWU’s Office of Conference Services at (940) 898-3644.

Mrs. Perry’s gown is a modified Rose Taft design worn Jan. 21, 2003 for Gov. Rick Perry’s inauguration. The silk dress has an overlay of blue-gold netting, along with embellishments of lace and beading, on the bodice and sleeves.

Other dresses in TWU’s collection are located in the Administration Conference Tower, including the gowns of former U.S. first ladies Mamie Eisenhower, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson and Barbara Bush. TWU’s gowns collection began in 1940 as a statewide project for the Texas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

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For Further Information Contact:

Roy Kron
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: rkron@twu.edu