Some voices fill a room. Barbara Jordan’s voice filled a nation. With a deep, commanding tone and a mind as sharp as a tack, this Houston native broke barrier after barrier and became one of the most respected leaders in Texas history.
Here’s a look at her remarkable life and the places across Texas where you can honor her legacy today.
A Fifth Ward Beginning
Barbara Charline Jordan was born on February 21, 1936, in Houston’s Fifth Ward. She graduated with honors from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1952 and went on to Texas Southern University, where she became a champion debater.
After graduating from TSU in 1956, she earned her law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1959. Then she came home to Texas, ready to make a difference.
Breaking Barriers in Texas Government
In 1966, Barbara Jordan was elected to the Texas Senate, becoming the first Black woman to serve in that body. She quickly earned a reputation for her intelligence, hard work, and ability to build relationships across the aisle.
In 1972, she was elected to the US House of Representatives, where she served Texas’s 18th District from 1973 to 1979. She was the first woman elected in her own right to represent Texas in the House.
A Voice the Nation Remembered
Barbara Jordan became nationally known in 1974, when she delivered a powerful televised speech about the Constitution during the House Judiciary Committee’s impeachment hearings. Two years later, she gave the keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, becoming the first African American and the first woman to do so.
After leaving Congress, she taught at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, inspiring a new generation of public servants. In 1994, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Barbara Jordan died on January 17, 1996, in Austin. She was buried at the Texas State Cemetery.
Where to Honor Barbara Jordan in Texas
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
The main terminal at Austin’s airport is named for Barbara Jordan, and a statue of her greets travelers. Keep an eye out on your next trip through Austin.
The University of Texas at Austin
A statue of Barbara Jordan stands on the UT campus, honoring her years of teaching and public service.
Texas State Cemetery
Located in Austin, the Texas State Cemetery is the resting place of many notable Texans, including Barbara Jordan. Visitors are welcome, and it’s a peaceful place to reflect.
Houston
In her hometown, the Barbara Jordan Memorial Parkway runs along part of State Highway 288, and Texas Southern University is home to the Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research.
Plan a Visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Barbara Jordan from?
Barbara Jordan was born and raised in Houston’s Fifth Ward.
What was Barbara Jordan known for?
She was the first Black woman elected to the Texas Senate and the first woman elected in her own right to represent Texas in the US House. She was also known for her 1974 Judiciary Committee speech and her 1976 convention keynote.
Where is the Barbara Jordan statue?
There are statues of Barbara Jordan at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and on the University of Texas at Austin campus.
A Legacy That Still Speaks
Barbara Jordan showed Texas what was possible with courage, conviction, and a voice that refused to be quiet. Her story is a reminder that big change can start in any Texas neighborhood.
Keep Exploring Texas
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- Unmissable Dallas: A Teen’s Guide to the City’s Most Powerful History Lessons
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