Exciting Publication Announcement! I am thrilled to share with you my latest publication uncovering the incredible life and accomplishments of Doris Elva Whiteside Baker (ca. 1919–unknown).
Doris was a trailblazer in her time, serving as the regional director of the Association of Desk and Derrick Clubs of North America. Born in Oklahoma and raised in Denton, Texas, she pursued her college education at North Texas State Teachers College (now the University of North Texas), where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1938.
During World War II, Doris's exceptional talents caught the attention of the Defense Department, leading her to work with General George C. Marshall in Washington, D.C. Her dedication to the oil and gas industry eventually brought her to Dallas, where she played a significant role as office manager and executive secretary to Charles E. Simons, vice-president of the Texas Mid-Century Oil and Gas Association.
Her passion for fostering professional growth and education led her to become an organizer and officer of the Desk and Derrick Club of Dallas, and she was appointed as the regional director for the southwest region during the Association's first national convention in Houston. Doris's influence extended beyond the club's members as she spearheaded efforts to empower women in the oil and gas industry across Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas.
The journey didn't end there! When President Dwight Eisenhower appointed Robert B. Anderson as the secretary of the navy, Doris served as his private secretary in Washington, D.C. There, she met her love, John Haynes Baker, and they tied the knot in 1954.
Doris Whiteside Baker's story is one of determination, leadership, and breaking barriers. Though details of her later life remain a mystery, her impact on the oil and gas industry and the lives she touched will never be forgotten.
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