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Top 20 Remarkable Facts about Barbara Jordan

*Originally published by Philipp A on April 2023 and Updated by Vanessa R in January 2024

Barbara Jordan, a Texas representative (1936–1996), emerged onto the national stage from Houston’s Fifth Ward, which was predominately African American. She became a crucial figure in Democratic Party politics for two decades and a public defender of the U.S. Constitution.

She was both the first Black Texan in Congress and the first Black woman elected to the Texas state senate. She opened the crucial 1974 impeachment hearings for Richard Nixon as a member of the House Judiciary Committee. She left Congress after serving three terms to work as a professor and a policy advocate.

1. Jordan’s childhood was centred on church life

In Houston, Texas’s Fifth Ward, Barbara Charline Jordan was born. Jordan grew up in a church-centred environment. Her father, Baptist preacher Benjamin Jordan, was her father, and her mother, Arlyne Patten Jordan, was a teacher in the church. Jordan was the great-granddaughter of Edward Patton through her mother, who served as one of the last African Americans in the Texas House of Representatives before Jim Crow’s racial discrimination led to the exclusion of Black Texans from political participation.

Rose Mary Jordan McGowan and Bennie Jordan Creswell were Barbara Jordan’s older sisters and brothers (1933–2000). Jordan went to school at Roberson Elementary. With honours, she earned her high school diploma from Phillis Wheatley in 1952.

2. Because of segregation, she could not attend The University of Texas at Austin

Barbara Jordan by University of Houston from

Jordan acknowledged Edith S. Sampson’s speech from when she was a high school student for motivating her to pursue a career in law. She opted for Texas Southern University, a historically black college, with a political science and history major because she was unable to attend The University of Texas at Austin due to segregation.

Jordan was a national champion debater at Texas Southern University when he tied Harvard University and defeated Yale and Brown, opponents.  She earned a magna cum laude degree in 1956.  She joined the Delta Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta while attending Texas Southern University. She graduated from Boston University School of Law in 1959 after attending.  For one year, Jordan was a political science instructor at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. She started a private law practice in Houston in 1960.

3. She was the first African-American state senator in Texas

Barbara Jordan by The Library of Congress from

Jordan unsuccessfully ran for the Texas House of Representatives in 1962 and 1964. She was the first black woman and the first African-American state senator elected to the Texas Senate since 1883 when she gained a seat there in 1966.

She was re-elected to the Texas Senate in 1968 and held office there until 1972. She was the first woman of colour to hold the position of president pro tempore of the state senate and served as acting governor of Texas for one day on June 10, 1972. Jordan was the first African-American woman to hold the office of governor of a state. About 70 pieces of legislation were introduced or cosponsored by Jordan when she served in the Texas Legislature.

4. She was the first woman to represent Texas in the house

Barbara Jordan by Gerald R. Ford Library from

She was the first woman elected in her own right to represent Texas in the House when she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972. She received a lot of assistance from the late President Lyndon B. Johnson, who assisted her in getting a seat on the House Judiciary Committee.

She delivered a significant, nationally televised address in favour of President Richard Nixon’s impeachment before the House Judiciary Committee in 1974. Nixon was Johnson’s successor as leader of the country.  She was chosen to serve on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in 1975 by Carl Albert, the House of Representatives Speaker at the time.

5. Her impeachment speech led to Nixon’s resignation

Barbara Jordan by Warren K. Leffler from

After the impeachment speech, Jordan received widespread praise for her oratory, intelligence, and moral character, which contributed to Nixon’s resignation due to the Watergate crisis. She was requested to give the keynote speech at the 1976 Democratic National Convention two years later, another first for an African American woman.

6. Jordan backed the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act

Jordan backed the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act, which mandated that banks lend to underserved minority and impoverished communities and provide services to them. Although Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and Secretary of State Mark White opposed it, she backed the extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to cover linguistic minorities.

This gave Texas’ Hispanic population more protection. In addition, she was the originator of a law that prohibited manufacturers from setting their prices without federal approval. Jordan, who backed the Equal Rights Amendment, advocated for extending the deadline in 1979 and released a statement to that effect. Over 300 pieces of legislation or resolutions were introduced by Jordan or co-introduced by her while she served as a congresswoman, and several of these are still in force today.

7. Jordan served as the chairman of the US Commission on Immigration Reform

Barbara Jordan by Carl Albert Center from

Jordan presided over the US Commission on Immigration Reform from its inception in 1994 until her death. According to the panel, annual immigration should be reduced by around a third to about 550,000.

The commission favoured tougher enforcement measures against undocumented immigrants and their employers, the abolition of visa preferences for American citizens’ siblings and grown children, and the elimination of unskilled immigration with the exception of refugees and nuclear families.

In its report to Congress, the commission stated that it is “the duty and right of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest,” and came to the conclusion that “legal immigration has strengthened and can continue to strengthen this country,” and “described hostility and discrimination against immigrants as antithetical to the traditions and interests of the country.” Immigration restrictionists in the United States usually refer to the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform proposals under Jordan’s leadership.

8. Barbara Jordan was the first LGBTQ+ woman in Congress

According to the American National Archives, Barbara Jordan was the first openly gay woman elected to Congress. Nancy Earl an educational psychologist whom Jordan met on a camping trip in the late 1960s, was Jordan’s partner for around twenty years.  

Earl occasionally wrote speeches for Jordan, and he later took care of her after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1973.  Even though Earl was described as Jordan’s “longtime companion” in the Houston Chronicle obituary, and even though other sources have claimed that Earl was Jordan’s same-sex partner. Neither woman is known to have publicly acknowledged that the two were in a romantic relationship.

9. Jordan worked hard to promote women’s rights

Jordan worked on legislation advancing women’s rights while she was a member of Congress. She also supported the Equal Rights Amendment and co-sponsored a bill that would have given housewives Social Security benefits based on their work at home.

10. Jordan died at the age of 59 of complications from pneumonia on January 17, 1996

On January 17, 1996, in Austin, Texas, Jordan passed away at the age of 59 from complications related to pneumonia. She was later laid to rest in the Texas State Cemetery.

She was the first African American to be given this honour, and while she was serving in the Texas State Senate, she had previously pushed for African Americans to be buried at the state cemetery. Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas,” is buried close to Jordan’s grave.

11. Jordan was a gifted student from a young age

Jordan was a gifted student from a young age. Barbara Jordan demonstrated exceptional intelligence and talent as a young student. She skipped two full grade levels in elementary school and eventually graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class at only 15 years old. Jordan was extremely passionate about learning and fully immersed herself in academics, foreshadowing the dedicated work ethic she would demonstrate later on throughout her groundbreaking political career.

12. She overcame disability discrimination to attend university

She overcame disability discrimination to attend university. Though Barbara Jordan had outstanding academic credentials to attend the University of Texas at Austin for both undergraduate and law school, she was initially denied admission to the undergraduate programme due to her race. Undeterred by discrimination, Jordan boldly threatened legal action against the university. As a result of her persistence, she eventually became the first African American woman to attend UT Austin’s law school in 1956. Despite requiring a wheelchair at times due to multiple sclerosis, Jordan graduated near the top of her law school class, displaying tremendous strength and determination that would define her trailblazing political career.

13. Jordan championed ethical reforms while in the Texas Senate

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Jordan championed ethical reforms while in the Texas Senate. During Jordan’s tenure in the Texas Senate from 1967–1972, she made it a priority to champion legislation focused on institutional ethical reforms. Jordan vocally advocated for stringent financial disclosure requirements and clear conflict of interest rules for elected state officials. She also worked diligently to streamline confusing state agency protocols and procedures to increase transparency and accountability. Jordan’s steadfast commitment to integrity and accountability while in office established an ethical tone for her subsequent stint serving in the United States Congress.

14. Her keynote address at the 1976 DNC enthralled the nation

Her keynote address at the 1976 DNC enthralled the nation. When Barbara Jordan delivered the prolonged keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, her powerful and mesmerising oratory skills completely captivated the national audience.

She roused the enraptured audience by proudly and memorably pronouncing, “My presence here tonight… is one additional bit of evidence that the American Dream need not forever be deferred.” Jordan’s eloquent, affecting, and nearly 30-minute-long speech brought the crowd to its feet multiple times and firmly established her place in American history.

15. Jordan taught political ethics and civil rights at UT Austin

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Jordan taught political ethics and civil rights at UT Austin. After retiring from Congress in 1979 due to ongoing health issues, Jordan became an adjunct professor, teaching political ethics and civil rights courses at her beloved alma mater, UT Austin. She relished the opportunity to directly mentor ambitious students and lead thought-provoking seminar discussions about philosophy, constitutional law, morality, and equality. Jordan truly inspired generations of UT Austin students to later pursue meaningful careers in public service by carrying on her legacy as a pioneer for justice and civil rights.

16. She received the Medal of Freedom from President Clinton

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

She received the Medal of Freedom from President Clinton. In 1994, Barbara Jordan was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s single highest civilian honour. President Bill Clinton effusively praised Jordan as “a true American hero and a hero of the Constitution” during the ceremony. He also positively commended her barrier-breaking career and unwavering lifelong defence of democracy and equality. Jordan made history as the first African American woman to receive this exceptionally esteemed national recognition, bringing immense pride to the communities she so steadfastly represented throughout her storied career.

17. A congressional office building bears her name

, , via Wikimedia Commons

A congressional office building bears her name. To rightfully commemorate Jordan’s trailblazing tenure in Congress, an important House of Representatives office building located in Washington, D.C., was named in her honour in 2019. The prestigious Barbara Jordan Building now serves as a lasting testament and monument to Jordan’s historic career. It houses Congressional member offices and staff. The dedication brought Jordan the posthumous distinction of being the first black woman to have a Congressional building officially bear her illustrious name.

18. She delivered profound speeches despite health issues

She delivered profound speeches despite health issues. Throughout her storied political career at both the state and national level, Barbara Jordan has dealt with a myriad of significant health problems, including leukaemia, multiple sclerosis, and severe chronic fatigue.

Yet time and time again, she somehow powered through extraordinary physical weakness and fatigue to deliver some of the most profoundly impactful and timely political speeches in modern American history. Jordan’s sheer resilience and determination to fight indefatigably for justice despite her mounting illness made her perseverance all the more inspirational.

19. Jordan inspired legions of African American women leaders

Jordan inspired legions of African-American female leaders. The unmatched dignity, intellectual prowess, unwavering morals, and principled conviction Barbara Jordan demonstrated throughout her barrier-breaking career laid the very foundation for entire generations of African American women leaders to follow courageously in her footsteps. Renowned trailblazing figures like Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun, Kamala Harris, and many others enthusiastically credit Jordan with bravely paving their way and emboldening them to also successfully pursue high-ranking, prestigious political offices. Jordan’s unflappable, pioneering presence truly left an enduring and monumental legacy.

20. She received numerous honorary doctorate degrees

She has received numerous honorary doctorates. In deserved recognition of her superlative oratory skills, constitutional expertise, steadfast morals, and invaluable lifelong contributions towards advancing civil rights and civic justice, Barbara Jordan received honorary doctorate degrees from over 25 esteemed colleges and universities throughout her impactful career.

Such venerable institutions of higher learning as Harvard, Princeton, Tuskegee University, Howard University, and the University of Pennsylvania bestowed great honour upon Jordan. The sheer quantity of honorary degrees she accrued represents the utmost reverence, respect, and admiration Jordan rightfully garnered from the academic community.

Barbara Jordan lived an amazing life dedicated to breaking down barriers and fighting for equal rights and justice for all people. Her great intelligence, strong morals, and powerful speaking skills made her a revered political figure who was an inspiration to many. Even while dealing with illness and disability, Jordan never gave up working to achieve historic accomplishments for women and African Americans.

Despite passing away at only age 59, Barbara Jordan’s legacy continues impacting those who strive to follow her example. From improving ethics in Texas government to her historic role judging President Nixon’s wrongdoings, and beyond, Jordan always stepped up when duty called to further civil rights. The Barbara Jordan federal government building in Washington D.C. is a fitting tribute to her barrier-breaking service. The courage and convictions Jordan displayed throughout her career remain a guiding light for those still working toward equality and justice today.