Wikipedia

Mary Pruitt

Mary Pruitt (February 3, 1934 – September 19, 2020) was an American politician and Tennessee State Representative from Nashville, representing the 58th district from 1985 to 2013.

Mary Pruitt
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 58th district
In office
1985–2013
Preceded byCharles J. Walker
Succeeded byHarold M. Love Jr.
Personal details
Born
Mary Johnson[1]

(1934-02-03)February 3, 1934
Brentwood, Tennessee, US
DiedSeptember 19, 2020(2020-09-19) (aged 86)
Nashville, Tennessee, US
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1960; died 1985)​
Children3
Alma materTennessee State University[2]

Biography

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Pruitt was born in Brentwood, Tennessee in 1934.[3] A member of the Tennessee House of Representatives since 1985, Pruitt was originally elected in a special election upon the death of her husband, Charles Pruitt, who had previously held the position.[4][5][6]

Pruitt is a National Honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho, member of the Order of Eastern Star, 100 Black Women of Middle TN, a State Fair Board Commissioner, and a member of the Meharry Medical College Board of Trustees. She has a B.S. and M.ED. from Tennessee State University[7] and matriculated, but did not graduate from, the University of Northern Colorado.[4]

"She really was an advocate for education," U.S. representative for Nashville Harold Love Jr. said of Pruitt. Pruitt, a retired teacher with both an undergraduate and graduate degree from Tennessee State University, "realized the importance of that [education]." "She knew that if kids were given the opportunity to have a good learning environment, then of course the world was theirs."[8]

She died after a fall on September 19, 2020, at the age of 86.[9][10]

Investigations

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Pruitt was the subject of several investigations focusing on inappropriate or illegal use of funds. In 2006, it was discovered that she was renting a campaign office from herself, but the building was not used, and for some time, did not have utilities.[11] Rep. Pruitt denied the charges, charging entrapment, but was fined $10,000 for failing to appear before the Registry of Election Finance (later reversed).[12][13] Pruitt's attorney argued that utilities were routinely disconnected to discourage vandalism.[14]

Investigations of public records also found several potential conflicts of interest. A scholarship fund which Pruitt directed awarded a scholarship to her relative. A legislative earmark Pruitt requested awarded $55,000 to a corporation she founded. Pruitt requested and received a per diem allowance for travel and lodging, despite living two miles from her office.[15][16][17][18]

References

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  1. ^ McBride, Robert Martin; Robison, Dan Merritt (1975). Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly: 1971-1991: 1971-1991. ISBN 9780874020083. Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  2. ^ "Pruitt's Widow Reveals Plans To Seek 58th Seat". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. October 8, 1985. p. 14. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Votesmart.com.-Mary Pruitt". Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  4. ^ a b "House Democratic Caucus". tnhdc.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
  5. ^ Wright, Sharon D. (September 2000). "The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators" (PDF). The Journal of Black Studies. 31 (1): 3–18. doi:10.1177/002193470003100101. S2CID 144185212. Retrieved 2009-03-19..
  6. ^ "Pruitt, Mary". Our Campaigns. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  7. ^ "Pruitt, Mary". Tennessee General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
  8. ^ Allison, Natalie. "Former Nashville state Rep. Mary Pruitt dies after fall". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
  9. ^ "State Representative Mary J. Pruitt Obituary (2020) the Tennessean".
  10. ^ "Former State Representative Mary Pruitt passes away". Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  11. ^ "Pruitt's Campaign Spending May Have Broken Law". WTVF NewsChannel 5. 11 July 2006. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  12. ^ "Board Fines Lawmaker for Campaign Spending". WTVF NewsChannel 5. 12 October 2006. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2009-03-19..
  13. ^ Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. "Minutes of October 2006" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2007-01-07. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  14. ^ Rodgers, John. "Election board dismisses $10K fine against Pruitt". The City Paper. Retrieved 2009-03-24..
  15. ^ Frank, Terry. "Audits Good for Everyone". terryfrank.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  16. ^ "Lawmaker Says She Works Free, Pockets $43K". WTVF NewsChannel 5. 26 July 2006. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  17. ^ "Mary Pruitt.org". Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  18. ^ Citizens Against Government Waste (21 April 2008). "2008 Tennessee Pork Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 13, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
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