Proud Products of Texas Public Schools

Barbara Jordan

Graduate of Houston Phillis Wheatley High School

Barbara Jordan, the first African-American woman elected to the Texas Senate, graduated with honors from Houston ISD’s Phillis Wheatley High School.

Following completion of her law degree at Boston University, Jordan served as administrative assistant to the Harris County Judge’s Office, until her landmark election to the Texas Senate in 1966.

After serving in the U.S. Congress until 1977, Jordan taught for 16 years at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. In 1991, Jordan was appointed as Special Counsel for Ethics by Governor Ann Richards and in 1994 served as chairwoman of The United States Commission on Immigration Reform. In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award to a civilian in the country. Barbara Jordan passed away in 1996.

“I have faith in young people because I know the strongest emotions which prevail are those of love and caring and belief and tolerance.”

 —Barbara Jordan