1936 – 1996
Barbara Jordan
The Texas orator whose booming voice held America to its promises.
The Story
Barbara grew up in Houston, Texas, and won speaking contests from the time she was little.
She became the first Black woman from the South elected to the U.S. Congress.
When the country faced a big problem, she stood up and reminded everyone what the Constitution says.
People stopped in the street to listen when Barbara spoke on TV.
Her voice was so powerful it seemed to fill every room.