I told Martin that before the National Women's Month ended that I would try to think of some women who have been personal role models for me.

Here are the five women I admire: Three of the five I have already blogged about. I will repeat those blogs. .

1. My Grandma Higgins

2. Governor Ann Richards of Texas,

3. Anita Hill, Attorney and former professor of law at Oklahoma University

4. Karie Ross, The first woman sportswriter ever hired by ESPN

5. Eunice Shriver, sister of a President, mother of Maria Shriver, and founder of Special Olympics.

All these women have influenced my growth as a woman.

Governor Ann Richards

Ann Richards was a lowly Texas schoolteacher who worked tirelessly for equal opportunity for all minorities. She ran for and defeated the three-time incumbent for state treasurer .

While she was state treasurer, she gave the keynote address in 1988 at the Democratic National Convention. That speech has been called one of the greatest rhetorical speeches of the 20th Century, elevating her status in the political arena.

The speech was highly critical of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Her address was also notable for including several humorous remarks, displaying her down-home Texas charm such as:

"Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." ^[4] and "When we pay billions for planes that won't fly, billions for tanks that won't fire, and billions for systems that won't work, that old dog won't hunt.

And you don't have to be from Waco to know that when the Pentagon makes crooks rich and doesn't make America strong, that it's a bum deal."

^[5]

She was a real Texan who established herself as a candidate who appealed to suburban voters as well as to the traditional Democratic base that included African Americans and Hispanics.
In 1989, with co-author Peter Knobler, she wrote her autobiography, "Straight from the Heart: My Life in Politics and Other Places".

Here is a repeat of the post that I did about the governor when she died in 2006. She inspired me not to be afraid to "tell it like it is". Ann Richards was criticized heavily for this--as I have been also. People have called me "mean-spirited", a "liar", and mentally unstable; because I am brave enough to say what I feel, to tell the absolute truth, never veering from it, even when criticized; and to face my adversaries with no fear of their efforts to intimidate me.

What a Gal!!

September 19, 2006 / by southwesterngradEdit Post /

This past weekend Texas lost one of its own--the incomparable Ann Richards; the rest of us lost a great American and quite a gal!

She was a rootin' tootin; Southerner who didn't think like a Southerner. She kicked in more closed doors with her high heels than any Texas Ranger in his high-heeled boots ever did in pursuit of an outlaw.. But Richards wasn't fighting outlaws; she was fighting

prejudice--of all minorities. That included women, blacks, Hispanics and any other downtrodden citizen.

She was not born to politics; rather she rose to power as a former school teacher. Fiery, intelligent, and with a razor-sharp wit, she smashed through her first door when she was elected State Treasurer. Other women took note and thought,

"If she can do it, so can I!"

And they did!

She promised to appoint the first school teacher to head the State Board of Education when running for Governor. She promised to hire more minorities. She did both. Ron Kirk, a black attorney and later mayor of Dallas, got his political start when Richards tapped him to be her Secretary of State.

Once when standing beside a black gentleman before she became a household name, an old hard-core judge from east Texas happened by. By way of introduction, the black gentleman extended his hand. The cantankerous judge, obviously showing his displeasure, barely touched the black gentleman's hand.

Turning then to Ms. Richards, he purred,

"And who might this pretty little lady be?"

"I'm his wife," deadpanned Richards.

In the eighties, Richards once served as the
keynote speaker for a group of midwives at an annual gathering. The women, obviously trying to make a statement, arrived in mass with unshaven legs and underarms wearing asexual clothing.

Richards took a look at them, then stated as she began her address,

"If you ladies want to get anywhere with the politicians in Austin, you need to shave your legs and get some high heels!"

We shall not see her likes again soon!

(The blog below is a bit biased but worth including because of the great links within it and the picture of Richards with the yellow roses.

She really was a true 'yellow rose of Texas'. As her casket was lowered into the ground yesterday, a single yellow rose lay atop it.)

Joy and Tom Williams ON 9/14/2006 6:19AM

Ann Richards Has Passed

A Great American

I really, really liked her

Guest blogged by Joy Williams
According to CNN, Ann Richards, the former Governor of Texas, has passed on due to esophogeal cancer. She was a straight talker, a truth teller, and an intelligent and fiery woman. She will be missed.
As a former Texan, I found in Ann Richards a salt-of-the-earth kind
of person who had an incredible amount of compassion, and is one of
those gems that you find amongst those tumbling tumbleweeds. You could
trust her. You could rely on her. You knew she cared.
Her spirit and energy were phenomenal. She would have made a tremendous President.
In 1988, she gave the Democratic National Convention Keynote
Address. Though it's a different George Bush, much of what she said
then applies remarkably well now. The Bushes have NEVER changed their
agenda. Please read her address.
We love you, Ann!

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1. ^ The comment was a combination of two American idioms: a man born into wealth is described as "born with a silver spoon in his mouth", and a man who embarrasses himself while speaking is described as "putting his foot in his mouth".


2. ^ American Rhetoric: Ann Richards - Democratic National Convention Keynote Address