| Elinor Zimmerman Taylor | |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| State House: | Pennsylvania |
| District: | 156th |
| Constituency: | Part of Chester County |
| Term Start: | January 4, 1977[1] |
| Term End: | November 30, 2006[2] |
| Predecessor: | Patricia Crawford |
| Successor: | Barbara McIlvaine Smith |
| Office2: | Member of the West Chester Borough Council |
| Term Start2: | January 7, 1974 |
| Term End2: | January 4, 1977 |
| Predecessor2: | Edward J. Cotter |
| Successor2: | Nancy Hickman Elters |
| Party: | Republican |
| Birth Date: | April 18, 1921 |
| Birth Place: | Norristown, Pennsylvania |
| Death Place: | Stuart, Florida |
| Alma Mater: | West Chester University Temple University |
Elinor Zimmerman Taylor (April 18, 1921 – July 27, 2010) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 156th legislative district from 1977 through her retirement in 2006.[3] Taylor served in the House Republican leadership as Majority Caucus Chair.
She attended West Chester High School, graduating in 1939. In 1943, she graduated from West Chester University, where she later received a Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa. In 1958 she earned a Master's in Education from Temple University. At various times, she attended classes at Columbia University and University of Delaware.
She was first elected to represent the 156th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1976. During her career, she focused on higher education and constituent service. In 1982, she famously engineered a deal that led to the downfall of a West Chester University President Charles G. Mayo.[4] She was elected Republican (Majority) Caucus Secretary in 1995 and alter served in the mostly-ceremonial leadership position of caucus chairwoman.
She retired prior to the 2006 elections with her health deteriorating.[5] She said, "My approach has always been the idea that I could make a difference. And as long as I have been able to do that, you end the day with great satisfaction. I'm very very pleased to look back on what I consider to be a very productive experience."