Barbara Jordan: Life and Career

Barbara Jordan's Life

• Born in Houston, Texas, on February 21, 1936, youngest of three daughters
• Grew up in a poor community, encouraged by parents to succeed academically
• Known for public speaking in high school, winning a national debate competition in 1952
• Graduated from Texas Southern University in 1956, and Boston University in 1959, earning a law degree
• Worked for a judge after graduating, then pursued a career in politics
• Unsuccessfully ran for office in 1962 and 1964
• Elected to the Texas State Senate in 1966, becoming the first African American member since 1883 and the first woman

Barbara Jordan's Career

• Focused on improving urban areas during her time in the Texas State Senate
• This was a different focus than many other state senators, who focused on improving rural areas
• Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972, representing a district in Houston
• First African American woman from the South to serve in Congress
• Worked to improve lives of poor people and people of color, supported bills expanding workers' wages and strengthening voting rights
• Sat on a committee investigating President Nixon during a scandal in 1974, giving a notable televised speech at the start of the hearings

Barbara Jordan's Later Life

• Gave a key note address at the Democratic National Convention in 1976
• Retired from the House of Representatives and returned to private life, working as a professor and writer
• Wrote an autobiography
• Served as an advisor for Texas Governor Ann Richards in 1992, giving a well-received keynote address at a Democratic convention
• Died in 1996