Madaline Hanks was born in Manhattan, Kansas. She attended Manhattan High School as well as Topeka's Kansas Vocational School. Sullinger worked as a sorority house cook before becoming an extension nutrition assistant for the Riley County Extension's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in 1974. In 1983, she was a finalist for Kansas State University's Classified Employee of the Year honor.
Sullinger was active in numerous organizations, serving as president of the Kansas Association of Colored Women and Girls Clubs, president of Manhattan's Church Women United, worthy matron of the Sunflower Chapter No. 58 of the Order of the Eastern Star, and as long time secretary of the Smoky Hill Baptist District Association. She was an active member of Pilgrim Baptist Church and served on the Manhattan Urban Renewal Board and Human Relations Council.
Madaline Hanks married Harry Sullinger; the couple had one son, Harry, III.
From the guide to the Madaline Sullinger papers, 1971-1988, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)
