Eleanor Clark, a resident of Providence Park Senior Living Community in Waco, TX was honored with a prestigious national educational award from Daughters of the American Revolution during a ceremony on Wednesday, April 5 at Providence Park’s The Village.
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s Mary Smith Lockwood Founder’s Medal for Education honors an individual who has shown outstanding achievement in furthering educational pursuits beyond the formal educational process. Clark received the medal in recognition of her work as an award-winning children’s book author, and her donation of thousands of her historical fiction books to young readers. Judy Callaway Ostler, State Regent of the Texas Society of DAR, presented the award to Clark at the April 5 ceremony.
Following the death of her husband, Clark embarked on a project to research her family’s history. She developed a passion for history, and – at age of 73 – took college writing courses and began penning what would become the Eleanor Series. The seven books were published in 2007, each focusing on a different period of American history and centering on the values of patriotism, faith and character. She also completed her eighth book, The Legacy of Lord Baden-Powell, in 2010 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.
Dr. Clark was born the daughter of a Texas sharecropper, and was raised during the Great Depression. Her accomplished career included a director of development position with a prominent religious organization, as well as founding her own consulting firm. In retirement, she remains active in church, community and civic activities. She’s also the matriarch of a large family: five children, 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
“Dr. Clark is an individual with a strong sense of duty, selflessness and uncommon faith and that is what the Daughters of the American Revolution had in mind as a promoter of education,” said Carol hicks, State Chairman of the Founders Medal Committee. “It is our great honor to present this award to Dr. Clark.”
