Jordan, Barbara (1936-1996)
Item
Title
Jordan, Barbara (1936-1996)
Jordan, Barbara Charline (1936-1996)
Contributor
Raisch, Elly
birthday
1936-02-21
Birthplace
Houston, TX
Death Date
1996-01-17
Occupation
Lawyer
Politician
Professor
Biographical Text
Barbara Jordan was a U.S. politician who served as a democrat member of the Texas House of Representatives in Texas' 18th District. Jordan was the great-granddaughter of Texas House of Representatives member Edward Patton as well as daughter to minister Benjamin Jordan and church teacher Arlyne Patten Jordan. Inspired to become an attorney after hearing a speech given by Edith S. Sampson, Jordan received her bachelor's degree in political science from Texas Southern University in 1956, and graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1959. After a year teaching law at Tuskegee Institute, Jordan began her own private law practice in 1960. Two years later, she would begin her career in politics, first running for the Texas House of Representatives, then the Texas Senate, the latter of which she won a seat on in 1966, where she would serve for six years. In 1972, Jordan successfully ran for the House of Representatives, becoming a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Over the course of her political career, Jordan sponsored or co-sponsored over 350 bills, and played supporting role in the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Equal Rights Amendment. Jordan was also a prolific orator, giving a speech in support of President Richard Nixon's impeachment in 1974, serving as keynote speaker at the 1976 and 1992 Democratic National Conventions, and speaking at the 1977 National Women's Conference. In 1979, she retired from politics to become a professor of ethics at the University of Texas at Austin, later becoming chair of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform in 1994. Years of service garnered Jordan several awards, including the 1994 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the 1994 NAACP Springarn Medal, and honorary degrees from more than 20 universities.
Jordan never married, but was partners with educational psychologist Nancy Earl for the last two decades of her life. At age 59, Jordan passed away after a struggle with pneumonia and leukemia.
Jordan never married, but was partners with educational psychologist Nancy Earl for the last two decades of her life. At age 59, Jordan passed away after a struggle with pneumonia and leukemia.
