Barbara Charline Jordan (1936–96) was an American lawyer, educator, and politician. She was the first black woman to serve in the Texas Senate (1967–72) before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives 1973–79.
Born in Houston, Texas, Jordan was educated at Texas Southern and Boston universities, becoming the first black student at Boston University Law School. Admitted to Massachusetts and Texas’s Bars in 1959, she later served in the Texas Senate 1966–72 as the only woman and the only black person, and in the U.S. Congress 1972–78.
Jordan impressed the nation with her eloquence during the Nixon Watergate impeachment hearings. At the University of Texas, she was a Lyndon Johnson Public Services Professor (1979–82) and then was appointed to the Lyndon Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy. Jordan became a member of the House Judiciary Committee. In 1991, she was appointed special counsel on ethics by the governor of Texas.
Jordan’s autobiography is Barbara Jordan: A Self Portrait (1979.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Barbara Jordan
We must exchange the philosophy of excuse—what I am is beyond my control—for the philosophy of responsibility.
—Barbara Jordan
Topics: Responsibility
Just remember the world is not a playground but a schoolroom? Life is not a holiday but an education? One eternal lesson for us all: to teach us how better we should love.
—Barbara Jordan
Topics: Love
How do we create a harmonious society out of so many kinds of people? The key is tolerance—the one value that is indispensable in creating community.
—Barbara Jordan
Topics: Tolerance
I live a day at a time. Each day I look for a kernel of excitement. In the morning I say: “What is my exciting thing for today?” Then, I do the day. Don’t ask me about tomorrow.
—Barbara Jordan
Topics: The Present, Excitement, Living
Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment.
—Barbara Jordan
Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.
—Barbara Jordan
The stakes are too high for government to be a spectator sport.
—Barbara Jordan
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