Throughout her lifetime Barbara Jordan (1936-1996), politician and educator, broke down the barriers of race and gender in a distinguished list of American "firsts." She was the first African-American since Reconstruction to be elected to the Texas Senate, the first female African-American from the South to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first woman--and African-American--to deliver a keynote address to the Democratic national convention.

Jordan mesmerized the nation with her eloquent oratory, her skillful interpretation of U.S. history and constitutional law, and her rigorous devotion to ethical standards in politics and society. After retiring from political life she spent her final 17 years teaching in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

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