Liz Carpenter

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Carpenter started working as a reporter in 1942, covering the White House and Congress for newspapers such as The Austin American-Statesman. In 1960, she joined the staff of then vice presidential nominee Lyndon B. Johnson. During her time at the White House, Carpenter served as executive assistant to the vice president and press secretary to the first …

Frances Farenthold

Frances “Sissy” Farenthold served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1969 to 1973, co-sponsoring the Texas Equal Rights Amendment with then State Senator Barbara Jordan. (Farenthold and Jordan were the only women in the Texas Legislature at the time.) In 1971, Farenthold took part in the foundation of the National Women’s Political Caucus. The caucus elected Farenthold chair during …

Nikki Van Hightower

Nikki Van Hightower got involved in the women’s movement in the early 1970s while an undergraduate at the University of Houston. In 1976, Houston Mayor Fred Hofheinz appointed Hightower to the office of Women’s Advocate, one of the first such city offices in the country. The New York Times subsequently labeled Hightower the “best-known feminist” in Houston. The creation of …

Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson consistently played a crucial role in her husband Lyndon Baines Johnson’s political career, from financing his first congressional campaign in 1936 to conducting a solo electioneering tour in 1964. She redefined the office of First Lady, employing her own press secretary and directly interacting with Congress. Johnson’s influence extended beyond supporting her husband, however. In 1943, she …

Barbara Jordan

Barbara Jordan made a habit of establishing “firsts.” As a member of the Texas Senate from 1967 to 1973, she was the first black woman elected to the Texas Legislature. Jordan sponsored or co-sponsored some 70 bills, including the Texas Equal Rights Amendment with then State Representative Frances Farenthold. In 1972, Jordan successfully ran for a seat in the United …

Ann Richards

Ann Richards had only begun her political career by the time of the National Women’s Conference, but her reputation was already on the rise. After successfully managing the legislative campaigns of Sarah Weddington and Wilhelmina Delco, she challenged three-term incumbent Johnny Voudouris in the 1976 Democratic primary for Travis County commissioner. Richards won the primary and general election, becoming the …

Gloria Scott

Dr. Gloria Scott connected with the women’s movement through her leadership in higher education and civic engagement. She served as an instructor and administrator at numerous institutions, including Indiana University and North Carolina A&T State University. In 1975, Scott became the first African American to serve as national president of the Girl Scouts of the USA. The following year, she …

Sarah Weddington

Sarah Weddington cemented her place in the women’s movement through her role in the landmark case of Roe v. Wade. Weddington filed suit against Dallas County District Attorney Henry Wade to protest the state’s anti-abortion statute. In January 1973, the United States Supreme Court overturned the Texas law and declared abortion a fundamental right. A year before the ruling, Weddington …