Irene Baker

Edith Irene Bailey Baker (November 17, 1901 – April 2, 1994) was an American politician and a United States Representative from Tennessee. She was the widow of Howard Baker Sr. and the stepmother of Howard Baker Jr.

Irene Baker
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 2nd district
In office March 10, 1964 – January 3, 1965
Preceded by	Howard Baker Sr.
Succeeded by	John Duncan Sr.
Personal details
Born	Edith Irene Bailey November 17, 1901 Sevierville, Tennessee
Died	April 2, 1994 (aged 92) Loudon, Tennessee
Citizenship	United States
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Howard Baker Sr.
Children	Howard H. Baker Jr. (stepson) Mary Elizabeth Baker (stepdaughter) Beverly Irene Baker
Profession	politician

Biography

Baker was born in Sevierville, Tennessee, on November 17, 1901, and attended public schools in Sevierville and Maryville.

Career

Baker served as Deputy County Court Clerk of Sevier County from 1918 to 1922 and as Deputy Clerk and Master of Chancery Court from 1922 to 1924.

After her first husband's death, Baker went to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). On September 15, 1935, she married Howard Baker Sr., who was a widower with two children. The couple raised Baker's two children from his first marriage, Howard H. Baker Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Baker, as well as a daughter of their own, Beverly Irene Baker. She served on the Republican National Committee from 1960 to 1964.[1]

When her husband died suddenly in office on January 7, 1964, Baker ran as a Republican in the special election to fill the remainder of his term, defeating Democrat Willard Yarbrough, a Knoxville journalist. As a candidate for the seat, she promised to serve only as a caretaker who would not seek further election; and she fulfilled that promise, and served from March 10, 1964, to January 3, 1965.[2] While in Congress, she served on the House Committee on Government Operations and advocated for a balanced federal budget. She also championed coal mining interests, the TVA, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission programs in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and cost of living increases in Social Security pensions.[3] As one of ten Republicans from the South, she voted against the Civil Rights Act.

After leaving Congress in 1965, Baker became Director of Public Welfare in Knoxville, Tennessee, a position she held until 1971.[4]

Death

Baker died in Loudon, Tennessee on April 2, 1994 (age 92 years, 136 days). She is interred at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, in Loudon, Tennessee.[5]

See also

• Women in the United States House of Representatives

References

1. "Irene Bailey Baker". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
2. "Irene Bailey Baker". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
3. Irene Bailey Baker. Women in Congress, 1917–2006. 2006. ISBN 9780160767531. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
4. Irene Bailey Baker. Tennessee Biographical Dictionary. January 1, 2000. ISBN 9780403097005. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
5. "Irene Bailey Baker". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved May 16, 2013.

External links

• United States Congress. "Irene Baker (id: B000064)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Irene Bailey Baker in Women in Congress, 1917–2006, prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration by the Office of History & Preservation, U. S. House of Representatives. Washington: Government Printing Office, 2006.
• Irene Baker at Find a Grave