National Women's History Month

Did you know that March is National Women's History Month? In 1978, noticing a huge gap in K-12 curriculum, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week." In 1987, a Congressional resolution expanded the week to a full month. The governing body that oversees National Women's History Month, the National Women's History Project, was founded in 1980 and has forged a continuing mission to further study of multicultural women'sactive role in creating history. The NWHP is known "as the only clearinghouse providing information and training in multicultural women’s history for educators, community organizations, and parents" (from the NWHP website--read more about the National Women's History Project here). This year's theme is "Our HISTORY is Our Strength."

In honor of National Women's History Month, the Barbara Jordan Archives has assembled a special exhibit at TSU's Robert J. Terry Library that highlights Barbara Jordan's special awards and citations that are part of the Jordan Papers. The collection includes plaques, certificates, medals, city keys, signed photographs, and proclamations awarded to Jordan from the national, state and local levels.

In accordance with the National Women's History Month theme, Jordan's history lies in the fact that she was a strong woman: a strong speaker; a strong role model; a strong politician; a strong educator; and a strong leader. Jordan's awards number in the hundreds, and they stand as a testament to the high esteem in which Houston, the state of Texas and, indeed, America held Barbara Jordan, the girl from the Fifth Ward who made a difference. We are delighted to put some of Jordan’s treasures on display as an opportunity for our students, patrons and friends to learn more about Jordan.

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.)

A Thank You from Cesar Chavez

Here’s an interesting find—a signed letter from Cesar Chavez to Jordan, dated January 30, 1974. Nearly 37 years ago, Chavez wrote this letter to Jordan in response to the congratulatory note she sent when Chavez received an award. Chavez was a Mexican-American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who was a cofounder of what is now known as the United Farm Workers (UFW), one of the foremost labor organizations in America today. In 1967, Chavez and the Texas affiliate of the UFW staged a march from the Rio Grande Valley to Austin to protest poor working conditions and low wages, asking for the passage of a minimum wage law. Jordan met with Chavez and the other workers, promising a hearing on a fair wage bill in the Texas Senate, and Jordan did co-sponsor a bill with Texas Senator Joe Bernal. While that particular bill died in committee, Jordan continued to work to get minimum wage laws successfully passed in Texas later in her Senate career. Chavez and Jordan shared an affinity and a vision for trying to make things better for all disadvantaged Americans.

Letters to Ms. Jordan

The Barbara Jordan Archives contains thousands of pieces of correspondence from people who wrote to Jordan—mainly Jordan’s constituents—on a variety of topics, ranging from current issues, persons requesting assistance with legal or personal problems, requests for autographs and photos, and even fan mail. While most of Jordan’s correspondence is from the everyday people she represented in Washington, she also heard from many famous and influential people, both in and out of politics. Here’s a letter from Sargent Shriver, who died on January 18, 2011 at the age of 95. Shriver was married to Eunice Kennedy, sister of President John F. Kennedy. Shriver was the former Ambassador to France, a director of the Peace Corps, and a running mate to George McGovern in the former’s unsuccessful Presidential bid in 1972; Shriver himself ran for President unsuccessfully in 1976. Shriver was also the father of news correspondent and journalist Maria Shriver (otherwise known as Mrs. Arnold Schwartzenegger and former first lady of California). Shriver took the occasion to write Jordan a congratulatory letter upon her reelection to Congress in 1974.

Barbara Jordan Postage Stamp

The United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a press release a few days ago announcing the publication of a postage stamp honoring Barbara Jordan. It is the 34th stamp issued as part of the USPS "Black Heritage" series, which includes such notable and influential figures as Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. Dubois, Malcolm X and Ella Fitzgerald. You can read the press release from the USPS about Jordan's stamp here.

The Barbara Jordan Archives has had the honor and privilege of working with the United States Postal Service on this project, and we are excited to take part in such a historical undertaking and celebration of Jordan's life and accomplishments. (Note: stamp image copyright USPS and artist Albert Slark, 2010.)