Barbara Jordan: 75th Birthday Diamond Jubilee--Kickoff Event!

Tonight, February 17, 2011, marks the kickoff of Barbara Jordan's Diamond Jubilee celebration, honoring what would have been Jordan's 75th birthday this February 21. The events are sponsored by the Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. Tonight we will have a reception at the Robert J. Terry Library on the TSU campus from 6:3o-8:30pm--there will be speakers, food, and a chance to see some of the treasures held at the Barbara Jordan Archives. Everyone is welcome to attend! There are other activities scheduled for this Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday--for more information, click here. We hope to see you there--stop by and say hello!

Barbara Jordan--75th Birthday Diamond Jubilee

This February 21 marks what would have been Jordan's 75th birthday. In honor of the occasion, the Barbara Jordan/Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University is launching a series of events that will begin Thursday February 17, 2011 with a kick-0ff reception at the Barbara Jordan Archives. Over the course of a few days, the School of Public Affairs will be hosting speaking events, a tree-planting ceremony at Barbara Jordan Park, an essay contest, and a worship service and portrait unveiling at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. To the right is a schedule of events. For more information, contact information for the School of Public Affairs can be found here or you can contact the Barbara Jordan Archives at 713-313-7298. We hope you'll be able to join us at one or all of these events to celebrate the life of a great speaker, a fine stateswoman and a visionary.

Barbara Jordan and Black History Month

Did you know February is African American History Month (also known as Black History Month)? Historian Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in the early 20th century, and the organization conceived Negro History Week in 1925 in order to promote the contributions and achievements of African Americans to America's rich history and culture. Negro History Week was expanded to a month in 1976 to coincide with America's bicentennial and the event's name was changed to Black History Month. Each year has a different theme, and this year's theme looks at African Americans and the Civil War. Read more about African American History month here.

This article about Barbara Jordan appeared in today's Houston Chronicle, briefly describing the stunning and culture-changing achievements of this native Houstonian. Jordan remains a shining example of strength and determination to make things better for all people. (Image courtesy of the Houston Chronicle.)