Jane Tunstall Lingo
Encyclopedia
Jane Tunstall Lingo, born September 7, 1924, in the District of Columbia, died February 23, 2007 in Alexandria, Virginia
, was a pioneering journalist
, long-time employee of George Washington University
, and active socialite
who counted President Harry Truman's daughter Margaret Truman
among her close friends.
in 1946, with close friend Margaret Truman
.
in 1956 as a staff writer
in the Office of University Relations. She served there for eight years, and became GWU's Assistant Director of University Relations in 1964, where she worked until her death.
One of the first women invited to join the National Press Club
in 1971, Lingo was noted as a trailblazer for women journalists. She served as president of the American News Women’s Club from 1990 to 1992 and as Parliamentarian
for the Board of Governors in later years.
, Lingo became active in District social life, volunteering with the American Red Cross, translating letters in French, and making surgical dressings. She assisted the United Service Organizations
(USO) with special events, was a member of the Junior League
of Washington, for which she was a contributing author for the league’s book “The City of Washington,” and worked on a long-running children’s television program as part of a marionette
troupe.
She was a member of Pi Beta Phi
sorority, the GW Hospital Women’s Board, the Faculty Women’s Club and Columbian Women, which is the school’s oldest scholarship support group.
Lingo served on the Adams Morgan
Neighborhood Association and the former Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Neighborhood Beautification, was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, a docent at Dumbarton House
, and an active supporter of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Blair House
, the Washington National Opera
and the Shakespeare Theatre Company
. She also was a member of the Sulgrave Club
, working to save the Wadsworth House on Massachusetts Avenue in DC, and was a board member of the YWCA
of the National Capital Area.
She worked with the Democratic National Committee
in the office of Vice Chairman Margaret Price during several presidential campaigns and assisted with presidential inaugurations.
.
To honor her service to George Washington University, the university alumni association created an award to recognize alumni service and honor her memory, the Jane Lingo Distinguished Alumni Service Award, presented each year to alumni who not only meet the criteria for the Distinguished Alumni Service Award but are also employed as a member of the faculty or staff. The university's Gelman Library
established the Jane Tunstall Lingo Memorial Special Collections Fund for friends and admirers to honor her.
district of D.C. Her family also owned a historic home in Lovingston, Virginia
, "Peebles Hill," which she renovated in 1967 after inheriting it.
Lingo was active with the First Church of Christ, Scientist
in Northwest DC.
Lingo was a friend of journalist Helen Thomas
, with whom she became acquainted in the 1940s when attending events at the White House during the Truman administration.
At her death, Lingo had no immediate survivors.
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, was a pioneering journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, long-time employee of George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
, and active socialite
Socialite
A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
who counted President Harry Truman's daughter Margaret Truman
Margaret Truman
Mary Margaret Truman Daniel , also known as Margaret Truman or Margaret Daniel, was an American singer who later became a successful writer. The only child of US President Harry S...
among her close friends.
Education
Lingo earned a bachelor’s degree in French language and literature from George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1946, with close friend Margaret Truman
Margaret Truman
Mary Margaret Truman Daniel , also known as Margaret Truman or Margaret Daniel, was an American singer who later became a successful writer. The only child of US President Harry S...
.
Career
After spending a decade traveling and performing volunteer service, Lingo returned to George Washington UniversityGeorge Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1956 as a staff writer
Staff writer
Staff writer is a byline that indicates that the author of the article at hand is employed by the periodical that published the article as a regular staff member, and not as a freelance writer or special contributor....
in the Office of University Relations. She served there for eight years, and became GWU's Assistant Director of University Relations in 1964, where she worked until her death.
One of the first women invited to join the National Press Club
National Press Club
The National Press Club is a professional organization and private social club for journalists. It is located in Washington, D.C. Its membership consists of journalists, former journalists, government information officers, and those considered to be regular news sources. It is well-known for its...
in 1971, Lingo was noted as a trailblazer for women journalists. She served as president of the American News Women’s Club from 1990 to 1992 and as Parliamentarian
Parliamentarian
Parliamentarian can refer to a member or supporter of a Parliament, as in:*Member of Parliament*Roundheads, supporters of the parliamentary cause in the English Civil War...
for the Board of Governors in later years.
Social Activities
As a young adult during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Lingo became active in District social life, volunteering with the American Red Cross, translating letters in French, and making surgical dressings. She assisted the United Service Organizations
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
(USO) with special events, was a member of the Junior League
Junior League
The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is a non-profit organization of 292 Junior Leagues in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom and the United States. Junior Leagues are educational and charitable women's organizations aimed at improving their communities through volunteerism and...
of Washington, for which she was a contributing author for the league’s book “The City of Washington,” and worked on a long-running children’s television program as part of a marionette
Marionette
A marionette is a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings depending on regional variations. A marionette's puppeteer is called a manipulator. Marionettes are operated with the puppeteer hidden or revealed to an audience by using a vertical or horizontal control bar in different forms...
troupe.
She was a member of Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi
Pi Beta Phi is an international fraternity for women founded as I.C. Sorosis on April 28, 1867, at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. Its headquarters are located in Town and Country, Missouri, and there are 134 active chapters and over 330 alumnae organizations across the United States and...
sorority, the GW Hospital Women’s Board, the Faculty Women’s Club and Columbian Women, which is the school’s oldest scholarship support group.
Lingo served on the Adams Morgan
Adams Morgan
Adams Morgan is a culturally diverse neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C., centered at the intersection of 18th Street and Columbia Road. Adams Morgan is considered the center of Washington's Hispanic immigrant community, and is a major night life area with many bars and restaurants,...
Neighborhood Association and the former Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Neighborhood Beautification, was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, a docent at Dumbarton House
Dumbarton House
Dumbarton House is a Federal style house located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. It was completed around 1800. Its first occupant was Joseph Nourse, the first Register of the Treasury....
, and an active supporter of Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Blair House
Blair House
Blair House is the official state guest house for the President of the United States. It is located at 1651-1653 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., opposite the Old Executive Office Building of the White House, off the corner of Lafayette Park....
, the Washington National Opera
Washington National Opera
The Washington National Opera is an opera company in Washington, D.C., USA. Formerly the Opera Society of Washington and the Washington Opera, the company received Congressional designation as the National Opera Company in 2000. Performances are now given in the Opera House of the John F...
and the Shakespeare Theatre Company
Shakespeare Theatre Company
The Shakespeare Theatre Company is a regional theatre company located in Washington, D.C. Their self professed mission "is to present classic theatre of scope and size in an imaginative, skillful and accessible American style that honors the playwrights’ language and intentions while viewing their...
. She also was a member of the Sulgrave Club
Sulgrave Club
The Sulgrave Club is a private club located at 1801 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington D.C., United States.-History:...
, working to save the Wadsworth House on Massachusetts Avenue in DC, and was a board member of the YWCA
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
of the National Capital Area.
She worked with the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
in the office of Vice Chairman Margaret Price during several presidential campaigns and assisted with presidential inaugurations.
Honors and Awards
During her years at GW, Lingo earned membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and Mortar BoardMortar Board
Mortar Board is an American national honor society whose purpose is to recognize outstanding students dedicated to the values of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Cornell University Der Hexenkreis chapter, founded in 1892, is the oldest and predates the national society's founding in 1918...
.
To honor her service to George Washington University, the university alumni association created an award to recognize alumni service and honor her memory, the Jane Lingo Distinguished Alumni Service Award, presented each year to alumni who not only meet the criteria for the Distinguished Alumni Service Award but are also employed as a member of the faculty or staff. The university's Gelman Library
Gelman Library
The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library is the main library of The George Washington University, located on its Foggy Bottom campus. The Gelman Library, The Eckles Library on the Mount Vernon campus and the Virginia Science and Technology Campus Library in Ashburn comprise the trio known as the...
established the Jane Tunstall Lingo Memorial Special Collections Fund for friends and admirers to honor her.
Personal
Lingo was a daughter of Benjamin Harrison and Marie (née Tunstall) Lingo. Her father was a career U.S. Navy man, and her mother was the director of the Washington, D.C., United Service Organization (USO). She lived in her family’s home in the Adams MorganAdams Morgan
Adams Morgan is a culturally diverse neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C., centered at the intersection of 18th Street and Columbia Road. Adams Morgan is considered the center of Washington's Hispanic immigrant community, and is a major night life area with many bars and restaurants,...
district of D.C. Her family also owned a historic home in Lovingston, Virginia
Lovingston, Virginia
Lovingston is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Nelson County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 520. Its ZIP Code is 22949...
, "Peebles Hill," which she renovated in 1967 after inheriting it.
Lingo was active with the First Church of Christ, Scientist
First Church of Christ, Scientist
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States is The Mother Church and administrative headquarters of the Christian Science Church, and is located in the Christian Science Center in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston...
in Northwest DC.
Lingo was a friend of journalist Helen Thomas
Helen Thomas
Helen Thomas is an American author and former news service reporter, member of the White House Press Corps and opinion columnist. She worked for the United Press and post-1958 successor United Press International for 57 years, first as a correspondent, and later as White House bureau manager...
, with whom she became acquainted in the 1940s when attending events at the White House during the Truman administration.
At her death, Lingo had no immediate survivors.