AMARILLO, TX, May 22, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Claudia DeLaughter Stravato has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Recognized for a distinguished career marked by leadership in government, health care and higher education, Ms. Stravato has dedicated more than five decades to public service, teaching and advocacy. Since 2005, she has served as a political science instructor at West Texas A&M University, where she has influenced countless students through her expertise in government and economics. Her commitment to student success and empowerment saw her honored with the Teaching of Excellence Award from the Student Government at West Texas A&M for the 2016 to 2017 academic year.

From 2009 to 2012, Ms. Stravato was the director of the "It's Just Your Future" Project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In this capacity, she oversaw initiatives aimed at preventing teenage pregnancies and emboldening girls and young women to make informed decisions about their futures.

Over the course of a decade, Ms. Stravato held the position of chief executive officer at Planned Parenthood of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle, subsequently known as Texas Panhandle Family Planning & Health Centers. As she oversaw numerous clinics across a 26-county area, the organization expanded its reach and impact across the region, providing essential health services and education for individuals, families and communities.

During her earlier tenure as the director of professional education at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas from 1993 to 1999, Ms. Stravato led and developed educational programs for medical professionals at facilities such as the Children's Medical Center and Zale Lipshy Hospital, furthering her influence in public health and professional development.

A pivotal period in Ms. Stravato's career was her service as chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock in the Texas Senate from 1991 to 1993. Playing a significant role in shaping state policy during a time when the lieutenant governor wielded considerable authority within the Texas government, she developed key legislative programs and navigated complex policy negotiations. She was also the director for Mr. Bullock's successful campaign for the lieutenant governorship.

From 1983 to 1990, Ms. Stravato excelled as the deputy comptroller for tax administration, enforcement, claims and fund accounting at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in Austin. She managed critical aspects of state finance and taxation during a period of significant legislative activity, including sessions where approximately 12,000 bills were introduced with around 1,000 to 1,100 passing into law. Her strategic acumen was pivotal in both advancing and halting legislation with far-reaching implications for Texas Panhandle residents.

Ms. Stravato's earlier roles include regional manager for enforcement and then deputy comptroller for the Texas Panhandle at the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts from 1974 to 1983; graduate teaching assistant in the political science department at West Texas State University from 1973 to 1975; executive director of the Arthritis Foundation's West Texas Chapter Panhandle Unit from 1971 to 1973; and clinic manager and assistant to Dr. M.O. Rouse — then president of the American Medical Association — in Dallas from 1961 to 1967.

Hailing from an equally accomplished academic background, Ms. Stravato earned a Master of Science in government and economics from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M University) in 1976 and a Bachelor of Science in government and economics from the same institution in 1974. Determined to make an impact outside the classroom as well, she was an active member of Alpha Chi and part of the team that produced the popular student newspaper The Prairie News.

Ms. Stravato's educational pursuits were deeply influenced by her upbringing: her father was a Church of Christ minister who served primarily small-town congregations and less affluent urban communities, instilling in her a sense of justice and compassion for those facing hardship. Her mother's outspoken nature and political engagement — shaped by participation in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's National Youth Administration during the challenges of the Great Depression — further inspired Ms. Stravato's lifelong commitment to civic involvement.

Throughout her career, Ms. Stravato has been actively engaged with numerous civic organizations dedicated to social equity, women's rights and community development. She served on the National Women's Political Caucus Board. She was a founding member of the Amarillo Area Breast Health Coalition and a charter member of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. As a longstanding 5-year member and former officer — including first vice president — of the League of Women Voters of Amarillo, she has long championed voter education and civic participation. She was recently elected to the Board of LWV of Texas.

Ms. Stravato's affiliations have extended to membership or leadership roles with organizations such as Amarillo NAACP, the Amarillo United Citizens Forum, the Amarillo Women's Network, the Texas Civil Liberties Union and the American Society for Public Administration. Furthermore, she was a founding member of Executive Women in State Government, Harrington Regional Medical Center, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, the Texas Abortion Rights Action League and is a member of The Willa Cather Foundation. Additionally, she was the founding member of Executive Women in Texas Government and the Panhandle Women's Political Caucus and founding member of Amarillo Women's Network.

Renowned for her outstanding achievements in education and community service, Ms. Stravato was honored with the Humanitarian Award from Amarillo NAACP, Distinguished Graduate recognition from West Texas A&M University, the Community Health Leader Award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award from The American Society for Public Administration.

In acknowledgment of her dedication to women's rights initiatives, Ms. Stravato received the Distinguished Service Award from the Amarillo Women's Forum in 2002 and was named Woman of the Year by Executive Women in Texas Government in 1994. She was also named an Outstanding Woman in State Government by Governor William Clements in 1987 and has been selected for multiple Who's Who inclusions dating back to 1979.

Also a devoted family woman, Ms. Stravato is the proud mother of two children — her daughter resides in England as a yoga instructor while her son is a professional photographer in Houston, TX — as well as three stepchildren and is a grandmother of 10. Outside of her professional and civic commitments, she enjoys reading, gardening, practicing yoga, music and visiting art museums.

Looking toward the future with optimism, Ms. Stravato intends to continue writing editorials that provide support for individuals who feel isolated while pursuing her longtime passion for literature by reading extensively.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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