Barbara Jordan
#46,207 Most Popular
About
First African American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction, as well as the first Southern black female elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1973. She was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 1984.
Before Fame
She spent a year at the Tuskegee Institute teaching Political Science.
Trivia
She was the first African-American woman to deliver the keynote address at a Democratic National Convention. After her death, she became the first African American to be buried in Texas State Cemetery.
Family Life
She was born the youngest of three to parents Benjamin Jordan and Arlyne Jordan.
Associated With
President Bill Clinton wished to nominate her for the United States Supreme Court, however her ailing health deterred him from doing so.
