Blanchie Tisdale
Blanchie Taylor – Tisdale the daughter of Fred and Marie Taylor was born and raised in Hardeman County. Attended Hardeman County Schools, graduating from Bolivar Industrial High School in 1964. Went on to attend Jackson State Community College, Delta State and had political studies at the University of Tennessee. Her accomplishments include: Being the first Black City Council Woman elected in 1989 and serving two four year terms until 1997. During this time as council woman she had street lights placed from the city limits to Creswood Hill Subdivision after a young lady was killed in a hit and run accident. She was responsible for getting a tree grant to place trees at the city park in Bolivar and to place additional trees in the downtown Bolivar area. Blanchie Tisdale obtained several grants to help improve the city of bolivar and to meet the needs of the citizens in Bolivar. Some of those grants are: New city of Bolivar swimming pool built (Concrete by Jimmie Tisdale & the late Larndell Tisdale), A grant for the walking trail that is a wide concrete trail that begins at Hyman Tire and ends at the Bolivar City Park. She was inspired and wanted and fought for this after a young child died walking on the side of the street. She also aided in obtaining a grant for the New Municipal Building located in Bolivar.
Later Blanchie was reelected and obtained a separate grant to add additional ball fields at the Bolivar Little League Fields to benefit the children in the city. Keeping the children of Bolivar in mind, Blanchie linked with Lane College so that the children in Hardeman County could travel to Jackson to participate in a Summer camp. The National Youth Sports Program (NYSP). Children ages 10-16 were allowed to participate. The sponsor: OJ Simpson! Blanchie then served on the advisory board at Lane College along with President McClure and James Pearson.
Blanchie Tisdale was nominated and served on the advisory board for the State of Tennessee Parks and Recreation Department headed by Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter. Blanchie Tisdale continued for several years to obtain grants for the city she so dearly loves. Blanchie was also involved in Co-Opening the first black owned “Family Game Room” on the square across from the Bolivar Courthouse to give teenagers in the city a positive outlet.