Barbara Jordan 1936–1996

Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________ A Search for Order Biography Barbara Jordan 1936–1996 WHY SHE MADE HISTORY Barbara Jordan was a lawyer, educator, and the first African American congresswoman from Texas. As you read the biography below, think about what it meant to be the first African American congresswoman from Texas. How did Jordan help shape the civil rights movement? Library of Congress, Prints and and Prints Congress, of Library Division Photographs The 1960s were a time of tremendous change in the United States. Segregation was banned, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 opened up new opportunities for African Americans. Barbara Jordan seized the opportunity and became the first African American congresswoman from Texas. The youngest of three daughters, Barbara Jordan was born into a very poor family in Houston, Texas, in 1936. Jordan was encouraged to do well in school, and attended segregated schools in her neighborhood. During her senior year in high school, an African American woman who was a lawyer spoke at Jordan’s school. The woman inspired Jordan to consider a career in law. Jordan attended Texas Southern University, an all-black college in Houston, on a small scholarship. She majored in political science and history. She also developed an interest in debate. After graduating with highest honors in 1956, she attended law school at Boston University. Discrimination at the law school was widespread, and Jordan was one of only two African American women in her class. During the 1960 presidential campaign, Jordan worked as a volunteer for Democratic candidate John F. Kennedy. After his election, Jordan decided to enter politics. She twice ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives and lost. But when the Supreme Court forced the state to create a new district, Jordan finally won. The change in voting districts was designed to give fair representation to African Americans and other minority groups. As a state representative, Jordan worked for social change. She fought to end discrimination in the workplace and supported an increase in workers’ compensation payments. She also worked to improve voter registration. In 1972 she became the first black woman in American history to head a Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 6 A Search for Order Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________ A Search for Order Biography legislative body when she became president of the Texas legislature. That same year she ran for United States Congress and won. In 1973 Jordan began her first of three consecutive terms as a U.S. Representative, serving the people of Texas. During her years as a congressional representative, she voted against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. She also supported environmental concerns. In 1974 she gave a powerful televised speech supporting the impeachment of President Richard Nixon. The Democratic National Convention of 1976 put Jordan back in the spotlight. Jordan delivered what is considered by many to be the best keynote speech in convention history. She was asked to speak at Democratic national conventions again in 1988 and in 1992. Jordan died in 1996 of viral pneumonia. Later it was revealed that she also suffered from multiple sclerosis and leukemia. Jordan was the first black woman to be buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. Recall Barbara Jordan was a woman of many firsts. What was she the first to achieve? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 2. Predict What civil rights issues facing the United States today would Barbara Jordan support? ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY Barbara Jordan was a skilled speaker. Many think that she gave one of the best convention speeches in history. Do some research on the Internet or in a library to find one of her speeches. Copy the speech and show two or three examples of why Barbara Jordan was such a powerful speaker. Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 7 A Search for Order .

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