Ann Richards

Texas lost one of her own yesterday. Former governor Ann Richards passed away after her battle with especially cancer. She was 73.

She made a big splash at the 1988 Democratic National Convention when she uttered the famous quote about then Vice President, George Bush, "Poor George, he can't help it...He was born with a silver foot in his mouth." She was the Texas governor from 1991-1994. She was the first female governor elected since Miriam Amanda "Ma" Ferguson who had two non consecutive terms, and who had been preceded as governor by her husband, James E. "Pa" Ferguson. She lost her reelection bid to current President George W. Bush.

She left her mark on Texas. For example, she appointed appointed more women and more minorities to state posts than any of her predecessors. For example, she appointed the first African American University of Texas board of regeant, the first teacher to lead the State Board of Education, and the Texas Rangers pinned stars on their first African American and women officiers.

She is a personality, I feel, bigger than Texas. She cut her own path in Texas politics. She was savvy, intelligent, and a Texan through and through. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family today.

Give 'em hell Ann!