Barbara Jordan

American politician (1936-1996)

Barbara Jordan (February 21, 1936 – January 17, 1996) was an American lawyer, educator and politician.[1] She was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement. She was a Democrat.

Jordan was the first African-American female elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction. She was also the first Southern African-American female elected to the United States House of Representatives.[2] She was best known for her opening statement at the House Judiciary Committee hearing during the impeachment process against Richard Nixon.[3]

Jordan taught political science at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama for a year. She later returned to Houston. She started a private law practice.

Jordan got a Presidential Medal of Freedom, with many other honors. She was a member of the Peabody Awards' Board of Jurors from 1978 to 1980.[4] She was the first African American female who was buried at the Texas State Cemetery.[5]

Jordan worked as the chair of the United States Commission Reform. The Chair recommended reducing legal immigration by one-third. This work is often cited by American restriction members.[6]

Jordan was born in Houston, Texas. She died due to complications of pneumonia at age 59 in Austin.

Recognition

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References

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  1. "Barbara Jordan". Biography.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  2. "Barbara Jordan Dies at 59". New York Times. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  3. "Jordan, Barbara". History, Art and Archives. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  4. "Peabody Awards' Board Members". Peabody Awards. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  5. "Jordan, Barbara". Humanities Texas. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  6. "Was Barbara Jordan a 'White Nationalist?'". National Review. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  7. "NAACP Spingarn Medal". Archived from the original on May 5, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  8. "Barbara Jordan Sylvanus Thayer Award". Retrieved March 7, 2015.