View source for Barbara Jordan

{{Short description|American politician, lawyer, and educator (1936–1996)}}
{{for|persons of a similar name|Barbara Jordan (disambiguation)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Barbara Jordan
| image               = File:Barbara Jordan, Congresswoman, 1972-78 (cropped).tif
| caption             = Jordan, 1972–1978
| state               = [[Texas]]
| district            = {{ushr|TX|18|18th}}
| term_start          = January 3, 1973
| term_end            = January 3, 1979
| predecessor         = [[Bob Price (Texas politician)|Bob Price]]
| successor           = [[Mickey Leland]]
| state_senate1       = Texas
| district1           = [[Texas Senate, District 11|11th]]
| term_start1         = January 10, 1967
| term_end1           = January 3, 1973
| predecessor1        = [[William T. Moore (Texas politician)|Bill Moore]]
| successor1          = Chet Brooks
| birth_name          = Barbara Charline Jordan
| birth_date          = {{birth date|1936|2|21}}
| birth_place         = [[Houston]], Texas, U.S.
| death_date          = {{nowrap|{{death date and age|1996|1|17|1936|2|21}}}}
| death_place         = [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.
| resting_place       = [[Texas State Cemetery]]
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| partner             = Nancy Earl (late 1960s–1996)
| education           = [[Texas Southern University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Boston University]] ([[Bachelor of Laws|LLB]])
}}

'''Barbara Charline Jordan''' (February 21, 1936 – January 17, 1996) was an American lawyer, educator,<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title = Encyclopedia of African American History 1896 to the Present: From the Age of Segregation to the Twenty-First Century|last = Finkelman|first = Paul|publisher = [[Oxford University Press]]|year = 2009|isbn = 978-0-19-516779-5|location = New York|pages = 59–61}}</ref> and [[politics of the United States|politician]]. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], she was the first African American elected to the [[Texas Senate]] since [[Reconstruction era|Reconstruction]],<ref name=":8" /> the first [[Southern United States|southern]] African-American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives,<ref name="Clines">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/18/us/barbara-jordan-dies-at-59-her-voice-stirred-the-nation.html|title=Barbara Jordan Dies at 59; Her Voice Stirred the Nation|last=Clines|first=Francis X.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 18, 1996 |issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-10-22}}</ref><ref name=":11">Martin, D.R., & Martin, V.G. (1984). Barbara Jordan's symbolic use of language in the keynote address to the national women's conference. Southern Speech Communication Journal, 49(3), 319-330. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1080/10417948409372609</nowiki></ref> and one of the first two African Americans elected to the U.S. House from the former [[Confederacy]] since 1901, alongside [[Andrew Young]] of Georgia.

Jordan achieved fame for delivering a powerful opening statement<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://history.house.gov/People/Detail?id=16031|title=JORDAN, Barbara Charline {{!}} US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives|website=history.house.gov|access-date=2016-10-22}}</ref> at the [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]] hearings during the [[impeachment process against Richard Nixon]]. In 1976, she became the first African American, and the first woman, to deliver a keynote address at a [[Democratic National Convention]].<ref name=":8">Curtin, M.E. (2004) Barbara Jordan: The politics of insertion and accommodation, ''Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, 7(4)'', 279-303, <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1080/1369823042000300117</nowiki></ref> Jordan is also known for her work as chair of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform. She received the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]], among numerous other honors. She was the first African-American woman to be buried in the [[Texas State Cemetery]].<ref name="HumanitiesTX">{{cite web|title=Barbara Jordan|url=http://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/barbara-jordan|work=Humanities Texas |access-date=18 February 2016|quote=...{{nbsp}}When she died, in 1996, her burial in the Texas State Cemetery marked yet another first: she was the first black woman interred there.}}</ref><ref>Wilson, Scott. ''Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons'', 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Location 24267). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition</ref>

== Early life, family, and education ==
Barbara Charline Jordan was born in [[Houston]], Texas's [[Fifth Ward, Houston|Fifth Ward]].<ref name="Clines"/> Jordan's childhood was centered on church life at the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church.<ref name=":10">Oliver, B. J. (2006). The life and times of Barbara Jordan: A twentieth-century Baptist and political pioneer: The world was a different place for women in 1962 when Barbara Charline Jordan lost her first race for the Texas house of representatives. ''Baptist History and Heritage, 41''(3), 66.</ref> Her mother was Arlyne Patten Jordan, a teacher in the church and a maid.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name="Beejae profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.beejae.com/bjordan.htm |title=Barbara Jordan |access-date=2009-05-23 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716145243/http://www.beejae.com/bjordan.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |df=mdy }} at Beejae.com</ref> Her father was Benjamin Jordan, a [[Baptist]] preacher and a warehouse worker.<ref name=":8" /> Jordan would recite poetry at the church and would sing gospel music with her sisters.<ref name=":10" /> In 1949, Jordan's father joined the Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church as the full-time pastor.<ref name=":10" />

Through her mother, Jordan was the great-granddaughter of [[Edward Patton]], who was one of the last African American members of the [[Texas House of Representatives]] prior to disenfranchisement of Black Texans under [[Jim Crow]]. Barbara Jordan was the youngest of three children.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /> Her older siblings were Rose Mary Jordan McGowan and Bennie Creswell Jordan (1933–2000).

Jordan attended Roberson Elementary School.<ref name="Beejae profile" /> She graduated from [[Wheatley High School (Houston)|Phillis Wheatley High School]] in 1952 with honors.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Beejae profile" /><ref name="HRC profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/issues/3554.htm |title=Profile: Barbara Jordan (1936–1996) |access-date=2009-05-23 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081114152344/http://www.hrc.org/issues/3554.htm |archive-date=November 14, 2008 |df=mdy }} at Human Rights Campaign</ref> At Wheatley, Jordan's linguistic abilities were developed through the support of her teachers and curriculum.<ref name=":3">Ferreira-Buckley, L. (2013). "Remember the world is not a playground but a schoolroom": Barbara Jordan's early rhetorical education. In D. Gold, D. Gold, C. L. Hobbs & C. L. Hobbs (Eds.), ''Rhetoric, history, and women's oratorical education'' (1st ed., pp. 196-216). Routledge. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203073773-11</nowiki></ref> Major influences included her English teacher Mrs. D. B. Reid, elocutionist Ashton J. Oliver, and speech and drama teacher Robert T. Holland.<ref name=":3" />

Jordan credited a speech she heard in her high school years by [[Edith S. Sampson]] with inspiring her to become an attorney.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{cite journal|last=Ross|first=Irwin|title=Barbara Jordan-New Voice in Washington|journal=The Reader's Digest|date=February 1977|pages=148–152}}</ref> Because of segregation, she could not attend the [[University of Texas at Austin]] and instead chose [[Texas Southern University]], a [[historically black colleges and universities|historically black institution]], majoring in [[political science]] and history.<ref name=":10" /> At Texas Southern University, Jordan was a national champion [[debate]]r, learning from her coach, [[Thomas Freeman (debate coach)|Thomas Freeman]], and defeating opponents from Yale and Brown, and tying Harvard University.<ref name=":8" /><ref name="Beejae profile" /> She graduated ''[[magna cum laude]]'' in 1956.<ref name="Beejae profile" /><ref name="HRC profile" /> At Texas Southern University, she pledged Delta Gamma chapter of [[Delta Sigma Theta]] sorority.<ref name="Beejae profile" /> She attended [[Boston University School of Law]], graduating in 1959.<ref name="Beejae profile" /><ref name="HRC profile" />

==Early career==

Jordan taught political science at [[Tuskegee Institute]] in [[Alabama]] for a year.<ref name="Beejae profile" /> In 1960, she returned to Houston and started a private law practice.<ref name="Beejae profile" /> During that time, the 24-year-old Jordan was one of only two black women attorneys in Texas.<ref name=":8" /> To start off her career, Jordan became the first Black woman to work as an administrative assistant to a county judge, Bill Elliott.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara Jordan Biography |url=https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/barbara-jordan |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Barbara Jordan Biography |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Brown |first=Melissa R. |date=1998 |title=Barbara C. Jordan - 1936-1996 Ahead of Her Time: Women in History |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/bufwlj6&i=5 |journal=Circles: Buffalo Women's Journal of Law and Social Policy 6 |volume=6 |pages=1–2 |via=HeinOnline}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Biography – Barbara Jordan Freedom Foundation |url=https://www.barbarajordanfreedomfoundation.org/biography/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |language=en}}</ref> Jordan began her work in politics in 1960 when she became a volunteer for the [[John F. Kennedy]]-[[Lyndon B. Johnson]] campaign, traveling to African American churches in Houston to encourage people to vote.<ref name=":10" />

== Political career ==

=== Texas Senate ===
Jordan campaigned unsuccessfully in 1962 and 1964 for the [[Texas House of Representatives]].<ref name="Sampson">{{cite web |url=http://www.planetout.com/news/history/aahist/jordan.html |title=Stateswoman Barbara Jordan – A Closeted Lesbian |publisher=Planet Out |access-date=July 12, 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214015046/http://www.planetout.com/news/history/aahist/jordan.html |archive-date=December 14, 2007}}</ref> Along with [[Curtis Graves]] and [[Joe Lockridge]], she was one of three African American members elected in 1966 to the Texas Legislature, the first ones since 1896. With Jordan elected to the [[Texas Senate]], she became the first black woman to serve in that body.<ref name="Sampson"/> She served the [[Texas Senate, District 11|Eleventh Senate District]] in [[Houston]], which had just been created after [[Kilgarlin v. Martin]] (1965) in which the federal court demanded redistricting of the Texas Legislature because densely populated urban areas were underrepresented in comparison to rural areas.<ref name=":7">Curtin, M. E. (2004). Reaching for power: Barbara C. Jordan and liberals in the Texas legislature, 1966-1972. ''Southwestern Historical Quarterly, 108''(2), 210-231.</ref> In a speech at [[Rice University]] following the district's creation, but before her election, Jordan said, "For the first time in Texas, we are going to have legislators who represent people, not cattle."<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 14, 1965 |title=Jordan Discusses Re-Districting: Reapportionment Aids Liberals |url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth244952/m1/1/ |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=Rice Thresher}}</ref>

The Texas Senate in 1966 consisted of thirty-one white men and Jordan. With Jordan experiencing racism and sexism from her colleagues, Houston community members were unsure of how much of a difference Jordan could make serving in the Senate.<ref name=":7" /> Aware of the challenges she would face, Jordan's goal was to be respected by the white conservatives in the Senate. One of the ways she accomplished this was by befriending [[Dorsey B. Hardeman|Dorsey Hardeman]], who was seen as the most powerful man in the body, and Lieutenant Governor [[Ben Barnes (Texas politician)|Ben Barnes]].<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /> Jordan ran as a liberal Democrat, but she had strong relationships with the conservative wing of the [[Texas Democratic Party]].<ref name=":8" /> Her efforts in her first term led to her being unanimously elected as outstanding freshman member by her colleagues.<ref name=":7" />

Re-elected to a full term in the Texas Senate in 1968, Jordan served until 1972. She was the first African-American woman to serve as president ''[[pro tempore]]'' of the state senate and served one day, June 10, 1972, as [[List of Governors of Texas#Acting Governors of Texas|acting governor of Texas]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=1972-06-11|title=Black Woman in Texas Is Governor for a Day (Published 1972)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/06/11/archives/black-woman-in-texas-is-governor-for-a-day.html|access-date=2021-02-28|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-06-10|title=Today in Texas History: Governor Barbara Jordan?|url=https://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2010/06/today-in-texas-history-governor-barbara-jordan/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Texas on the Potomac|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528172900/https://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2010/06/today-in-texas-history-governor-barbara-jordan/ |archive-date=May 28, 2018 }}</ref> Jordan was the first African-American woman to serve as governor of a state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/houston-barbara-jordan-first-black-woman-elected-texas-senate/287-a227159a-be53-4cee-945e-c589f0c3200e|title=WFAA Academy: Houston's Barbara Jordan became the first black woman elected into the Texas State Senate|website=wfaa.com|date=May 20, 2020 }}</ref> Additionally, Jordan was nominated to serve on federal commissions by [[Lyndon B. Johnson|President Lyndon Johnson]] after she was elected to the Senate; the commissions worked on housing and income maintenance.<ref name=":8" /> During her time in the Texas Legislature, Jordan sponsored or cosponsored some 70 bills.<ref name=":0">Barbara Jordan Papers, Special Collections, Texas Southern University, October 15, 2015.</ref> Jordan was an advocate for her constituents and the working class while in the Texas Senate. Some of her accomplishments include developing Texas' first minimum wage law<ref name=":7" /> and funding programs to fight against hate crimes.<ref name=":10" />

Jordan's influence in the Senate and her relationship with Lieutenant Governor [[Ben Barnes (Texas politician)|Ben Barnes]] shaped her path to U.S. Congress. Redistricting of Texas began after the [[1970 United States census|1970 census]], which included the possibility of a new congressional seat in Houston.<ref name=":7" /> Barnes named Jordan vice-chair of the redistricting committee, and this resulted in Jordan having the ability to draw her own district, the Eighteenth Congressional District.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /> Jordan received 81% of the vote in 1972 to win the Democratic nomination to the U.S. House seat.<ref name=":6" />

[[File:Barbara Jordan speaking at the 1976 Democratic National Convention (cropped1).jpg|thumb|upright=.95|Barbara Jordan delivering the keynote address before the 1976 Democratic National Convention]]

=== U.S. House of Representatives ===
In 1972, Jordan was elected to the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]], the first woman elected in her own right to represent Texas in the House. She received extensive support from former [[President of the United States|President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]], who helped her secure a position on the [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]].<ref name=":6" /> In 1974, she made an influential televised speech before the House Judiciary Committee supporting the [[impeachment]] of President [[Richard Nixon]], Johnson's successor as president.<ref>{{cite news|title=Barbara C. Jordan|url=http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/barbara-c-jordan|access-date=7 May 2015|publisher=History.com|date=2009}}</ref> In 1975, she was appointed by [[Carl Albert]], then [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives]], to the [[Democratic Steering and Policy Committee]].

In 1976, Jordan, mentioned as a possible running mate to [[Jimmy Carter]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]],<ref name="Sampson"/> became instead the first African-American woman to deliver a keynote address at the [[1976 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]].<ref name="Sampson"/><ref name=":4">Kaylor, B. T. (2012). A New Law: The Covenant Speech of Barbara Jordan. ''Southern Communication Journal'', ''77''(1), 10–23. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1080/1041794x.2011.576798</nowiki></ref> Despite not being a candidate, Jordan received one delegate vote (0.03%) for president at the [[1976 Democratic National Convention|Convention]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Campaigns – US President – D Convention Race – Jul 12, 1976|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=58483|access-date=4 July 2015}}</ref>

In November 1977, Barbara Jordan spoke at the [[1977 National Women's Conference]] in Houston, Texas.<ref name=":11" />  Other speakers included [[Rosalynn Carter]], [[Betty Ford]], [[Lady Bird Johnson]], [[Bella Abzug]], Audrey Colom, Claire Randall, Gerridee Wheeler, [[Cecilia Burciaga]], [[Gloria Steinem]], [[Lenore Hershey]] and [[Jean O'Leary]].<ref>"[https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-526-f47gq6s51g 1977 National Women's Conference: A Question of Choices]," 1977-11-21, The Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection at the University of Georgia, [[American Archive of Public Broadcasting]]</ref>

=== American Oratory and Statement on Articles of Impeachment ===
[[File:Barbara Jordan on House Judiciary Committee during Watergate impeachment hearings.png|thumb|Representative Barbara Jordan (left) became nationally known for her eloquence during the Judiciary Committee's impeachment hearings.|241x241px]]
On July 25, 1974, Jordan delivered a 15-minute televised speech in front of the members of the [[U.S. House Judiciary Committee]]<ref name=History>[http://www.history.com/topics/barbara-c-jordan "Barbara C. Jordan Profile"], The History Channel, A&E Television Networks, LLC. 1996–2013. Accessed October 5, 2013.</ref> during the hearings that were part of the [[impeachment process against Richard Nixon]].<ref name=History />

Throughout her Judiciary Committee impeachment speech, Jordan strongly stood by the [[Constitution of the United States]]. She defended the [[checks and balances]] system, which was set in place to inhibit any politician from abusing their power.<ref name="History" /> Jordan never directly said that she wanted [[Richard Nixon|Nixon]] impeached, but rather subtly and cleverly implied her thoughts.<ref name="Rhetoric">[http://www.newmanrhetoric.blogspot.com "Mr. Newman's Digital Rhetorical Symposium: Barbara Jordan: Statement on the Articles of Impeachment], Newman Rhetoric Blogging Website, 2010. Accessed 5 October 2013.</ref> She stated facts that proved Nixon to be untrustworthy and heavily involved in illegal situations,<ref name="Rhetoric" /> and quoted the drafters of the [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]] to argue that actions like Nixon's during the scandal corresponded with their understanding of impeachable offenses. This powerful and influential statement earned Jordan national praise for her rhetoric, morals, and wisdom.<ref name="History" /> Further, both conservatives and liberals liked Jordan because of her appeal to the [[American Dream]] and her positions on Watergate and the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965|Voting Rights Act]] respectively.<ref name=":8" />

=== 1976 Democratic National Convention Keynote ===
On July 12, 1976, Jordan delivered a historic keynote address at the 1976 [[Democratic National Convention]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">Thompson, W. N. (1979). Barbara Jordan’s keynote address: The juxtaposition of contradictory values. ''Southern Speech Communication Journal'', ''44''(3), 223–232. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1080/10417947909372415</nowiki></ref> This address was the first time a major political party's nominating convention had an African American as the keynote speaker.<ref name=":4" /> Jordan was chosen as a speaker because she was a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee and made an impact with her remarks during the impeachment process of Nixon. Additionally, Jordan represented the Democratic party's progress and acceptance of minorities as a black woman.<ref name=":6" /> Jordan's usage of American values in her address, primarily national unity, American traditions, and the importance of politicians as responsible public servants, appealed to the general public and led to a largely positive reaction.<ref name=":5" /> At [[Madison Square Garden]], where the convention was held, Jordan's address ended with a 5-minute standing ovation, and during her speech, the audience interrupted with applause 20 times.<ref name=":4" />

Many delegates wanted Jordan to become [[Jimmy Carter|Jimmy Carter's]] running mate and wore ‘‘Barbara Jordan for Vice President’’ buttons the following day of the convention.<ref name=":4" /> One of the messages of Jordan's speech was support for the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], including what they have done in the past and what they could accomplish in the future.<ref name=":6">Frye, J. K., & Krohn, F. B. (1977). An analysis of Barbara Jordan’s 1976 keynote address. ''Journal of Applied Communication Research'', ''5''(2), 73–82. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1080/00909887709360247</nowiki></ref> Some have linked Jordan's speech and her support of the Democratic Party as playing a role in Carter's election win, with Carter winning 92% of the African American vote.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /> During a time of unrest, following the [[Watergate scandal]] and the [[Vietnam War|Vietnam war]], Carter hoped to unite both the Democratic Party and the country, and Carter tasked Jordan with helping him accomplish this goal at the convention.<ref name=":4" />

=== Legislation ===
[[File:President Gerald R. Ford and Representative Barbara Jordan of Texas at the Signing Ceremony for H.R. 6219, Extending the Voting Rights Act of 1965 - NARA - 23898509.jpg|alt=Jordan appears to be leaning towards Ford and speaking to him as he turns towards her|thumb|257x257px|Jordan with President Gerald R. Ford at the Signing of H.R. 6219, Extending the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (1975)]]
Jordan supported the [[Community Reinvestment Act]] of 1977, legislation that required banks to lend and make services available to underserved poor and minority communities. She supported the renewal of the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]] and expansion of that act to cover language minorities; this extended protection to Hispanics in Texas and was opposed by Texas Governor [[Dolph Briscoe]] and Secretary of State [[Mark White (Texas politician)|Mark White]]. The original version of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 included section 5, which required that changes to voting laws in certain jurisdictions were required to be reviewed by the Attorney General or the [[United States district court|United States District Court]], but this did not apply to Texas because the state was not included in the determined jurisdictions.<ref name=":9">Woods, C. S. (2020). Barbara Jordan and the ongoing struggle for voting rights. ''Quarterly Journal of Speech'', ''106''(3), 291–298. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1080/00335630.2020.1785640</nowiki></ref> The law changed to include Texas under the expanded version along with the requirement of bilingual ballots for areas where "more than five percent of the population" spoke a language other than English.<ref name=":9" />

She also authored an act that ended federal authorization of price fixing by manufacturers. Jordan was also a proponent of the [[Equal Rights Amendment]] and issued a statement in support of extending the deadline in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A statement by Representative Barbara Jordan on May 18, 1978, requesting an extension of the 1979 deadline for ERA ratification.|url=https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-equal-rights-amendment/sources/1206|access-date=2021-08-01|website=Digital Public Library of America}}</ref> During Jordan's tenure as a Congresswoman, she sponsored or cosponsored over 300 bills or resolutions, several of which are still in effect today as law.<ref name=":0" />

== Post-political career ==
Jordan retired from politics in 1978 due to poor health<ref name=":7" /> and became an adjunct professor teaching at the [[University of Texas at Austin]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs]].<ref name=":10" /> She was again a keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention in 1992.<ref name=":3" />

In 1994, Clinton awarded her the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] and the [[NAACP]] presented her with the [[Spingarn Medal]].<ref name=":1" /> She was honored many times and was given over 20 honorary degrees from institutions across the country, including Harvard and Princeton, and was elected to the Texas and [[National Women's Hall of Fame|National Women's Halls of Fame]].<ref name=":1" />

=== U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform ===
From 1994 until her death, Jordan chaired the [[History of laws concerning immigration and naturalization in the United States#1990s|U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform]]; she was appointed by [[Bill Clinton|President Bill Clinton]].<ref name=":10" /> The commission recommended that total immigration be cut by one-third to approximately 550,000 per year. The commission supported increasing enforcement against undocumented migrants and their employers, eliminating visa preferences for siblings and adult children of U.S. citizens, and ending unskilled immigration except for refugees and nuclear families. The commission's report to Congress said that it was "a right and responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest", concluded that "legal immigration has strengthened and can continue to strengthen this country" and "decrie[d] hostility and discrimination against immigrants as antithetical to the traditions and interests of the country." The commission recommended that the United States reduce the number of refugees admitted annually to a floor of 50,000 (this level would be lifted during emergencies).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Seales|first1=Chance|title=Dems Weren't Always Pro-immigration – Just Ask The Jordan Commission|url=https://madison.com/news/nation/government-and-politics/dems-weren-t-always-pro-immigration-just-ask-the-jordan/html_83ca9b8a-566e-53ac-b850-b22de86d2976.html|work=Newsy|date=30 January 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://cmsny.org/publications/martin-barbara-jordan/|title=Trump's Misuse of Barbara Jordan's Legacy on Immigration – The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS)|website=The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS)|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Pear|first1=Robert|title=Clinton Embraces a Proposal To Cut Immigration by a Third|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/08/us/clinton-embraces-a-proposal-to-cut-immigration-by-a-third.html|work=The New York Times|date=8 June 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Chang|first1=Howard Fenghau|title=Migration as international trade: the economic gains from the liberalized movement of labor|date=1998|publisher=University of Southern California Law School|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tCW5AAAAIAAJ|language=en}}</ref>

The recommendations made by the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform under Jordan's leadership are frequently cited by American immigration restrictionists.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/02/04/why-does-numbersusa-include-clip-from/2WZzrCOWOLuhqZdx5QghNK/story.html|title=Why does a NumbersUSA ad include a clip from 1995? |work=The Boston Globe|access-date=2018-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/barbara-jordan-immigration-commission/|title=Was Barbara Jordan a 'White Nationalist'? {{!}} National Review|date=2017-08-03|work=National Review|access-date=2018-11-03|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
=== Relationships ===

While Jordan never publicly identified herself as lesbian or queer,<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lgbt-history-month-icon-barbara-jordan_n_1959080|title=LGBT History Month Icon Of The Day: Barbara Jordan|first=J. R.|last=Tungol|date=October 20, 2012|website=HuffPost}}</ref><ref name="two" /><ref name="Sampson"/> the [[U.S. National Archives]] has referred to her as the first [[LGBTQ]]+ woman to serve in the United States Congress.<ref name=archives>{{Cite web |url=https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2021/06/10/lgbtq-history-month-barbara-jordan/ |title=LGBTQ+ History Month: Barbara Jordan |last=Bartgis |first=Rachel |editor-last=Kratz |editor-first=Jessie |work=Pieces of History |publisher=[[U.S. National Archives]] |date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701225145/https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2021/06/10/lgbtq-history-month-barbara-jordan/ |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Jordan and Nancy Earl shared a home in [[Austin, Texas]]<ref name="Looking Back at Barbara Jordan">{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Lisa |title=Looking Back at Barbara Jordan |url=https://sites.utexas.edu/queerandtransvoices/2022/07/looking-back-at-barbara-jordan/ |website=QT VOICES LGBTQ STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN |date=July 7, 2022 |publisher=University of Texas |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref> and maintained a close bond for 20 years.<ref name="two">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Clay |title=Two Bios of Barbara |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/books/1999-02-12/521143/ |access-date=2020-07-03 |work=[[The Austin Chronicle]] |date=February 12, 1999}}</ref> Jordan's political career was often shadowed by homophobic attacks, with advisors cautioning against the visibility of her personal relationships. With their advice, Jordan's openness about her sexual orientation was limited to private settings.<ref name="Looking Back at Barbara Jordan"/> Jordan held a negative view on marriage and viewed it as a life of subservience. She believed that her family would accept her choice to be single only if she had a successful career.<ref name=":8" />

=== Health ===

Jordan developed [[multiple sclerosis]] in 1973, during her first year in Congress.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/barbara-jordan|title=Barbara Jordan Biography|website=Barbara Jordan Biography}}</ref>

On July 31, 1988, Jordan nearly drowned in her backyard swimming pool while doing physical therapy. She was saved by Earl, who found her floating in the pool and revived her.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/31/us/barbara-jordan-is-hospitalized.html|title=Barbara Jordan is hospitalized|newspaper=nytimes.com|date=July 31, 1988 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> By 1992, Jordan used a wheelchair due to her multiple sclerosis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barbara Jordan |url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/barbara-jordan |website=National Museum of African American History & Culture |publisher=Smithsonian |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>

In the [[KUT-FM]] radio documentary ''Rediscovering Barbara Jordan'', [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]] said that he had wanted to nominate Jordan for the [[United States Supreme Court]], but that Jordan's health problems prevented him from doing so.<ref>[http://www.kut.org/items/show/5525 Transcript of ''Rediscovering Barbara Jordan''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724202502/http://www.kut.org/items/show/5525 |date=July 24, 2008 }}, KUT.org, February 8, 2006. Retrieved November 4, 2006.</ref>

== Death and burial ==
[[File:Barbara Jordan Gravestone.jpg|alt=Barbara Jordan's gravestone at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas. Picture is of Jordan's gravestone which includes the word "patriot" carved at the top followed by an engraving of Jordan's profile.|thumb|Barbara Jordan's gravestone at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas]]
Jordan died at  the Austin Diagnostic Medical Center in Austin, Texas, on January 17, 1996, at the age of 59.<ref name=":10" /> Her cause of death was complications from [[pneumonia]] and [[leukemia]]. She had battled [[multiple sclerosis]] for several years before her death.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last1=Pearson |first1=Richard |date=January 17, 1996 |title=EX-CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA JORDAN DIES: A POWERFUL ORATOR, SHE GAINED ATTENTION AT HEARINGS ON NIXON |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/01/18/ex-congresswoman-barbara-jordan-dies/27842197-c6d7-4dab-8aff-70800cf3c002/ |access-date=April 10, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

Jordan was interred in [[Texas State Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://cemetery.tspb.texas.gov/pub/user_form.asp?pers_id=6624|title=Barbara Charline Jordan|publisher=Texas State Cemetery|accessdate=December 3, 2021}}</ref> She was the first African American to receive this honor.<ref name=":10" /> During her tenure in the Texas State Senate, Jordan had advocated for African Americans to be buried in the state cemetery.<ref name=gravesite>{{cite news|url=https://texashighways.com/culture/barbara-jordan-remembered/|title=Barbara Jordan Remembered|publisher=Texas Highway Magazine|date=August 12, 2012|accessdate=December 3, 2021}}</ref> Jordan's grave rests near that of the "Father of Texas", [[Stephen F. Austin]].<ref name=gravesite />

In the years following Jordan's passing, more African Americans would receive the honor of being buried in the [[Texas State Cemetery]] as well, including musical artists [[James Cotton|James Henry Cotton]] and [[Barbara Smith Conrad]], and fellow Texas-based U.S. Congresswoman [[Eddie Bernice Johnson]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Michael |date=June 7, 2021 |title=Texas History: The Texas State Cemetery shapes its identity for 21st century |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/history/2021/06/07/texas-state-cemetery-leader-buried-tour-modern/5274228001/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/history/2021/06/07/texas-state-cemetery-leader-buried-tour-modern/5274228001/ |accessdate=December 3, 2021 |publisher=Austin American-Statesman |archive-date=September 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910005547/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/history/2021/06/07/texas-state-cemetery-leader-buried-tour-modern/5274228001/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/history/2021/06/07/texas-state-cemetery-leader-buried-tour-modern/5274228001/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2024/01/10/eddie-bernice-johnson-texas-state-cemetery/|title=Eddie Bernice Johnson laid to rest at Texas State Cemetery|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=January 10, 2024|accessdate=March 8, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/state/texas-news/eddie-bernice-johnson-texas-state-cemetery-burial/269-407e5b58-bfb6-4881-bd82-724ab7901ab2|title=Trailblazer Eddie Bernice Johnson laid to rest at Austin's Texas State Cemetery|first=Daranesha|last=Herron|publisher=KVUE|date=January 10, 2024|accessdate=March 8, 2025}}</ref>

== Recognition and legacy ==
* 1984: Inducted into the [[Texas Women's Hall of Fame]]
* 1990: Inducted into the [[National Women's Hall of Fame]]
* 1992: The [[Spingarn Medal]] from the [[NAACP]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naacp.org/pages/spingarn-medal-winners |title=NAACP Spingarn Medal |access-date=November 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802063355/http://www.naacp.org/pages/spingarn-medal-winners |archive-date=August 2, 2014 }}</ref>
* 1993: The [[Elizabeth Blackwell]] Award from [[Hobart and William Smith Colleges]]
* 1994: The [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]]
* 1995: The second ever female awardee of the [[United States Military Academy]]'s [[Sylvanus Thayer Award]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpast.org/1995-barbara-jordan-s-acceptance-speech-sylvanus-thayer-award-united-states-military-academy-west-po|title=Barbara Jordan Sylvanus Thayer Award|date=August 12, 2012|access-date=March 7, 2015|archive-date=December 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212171446/https://blackpast.org/1995-barbara-jordan-s-acceptance-speech-sylvanus-thayer-award-united-states-military-academy-west-po|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jordan was a member of the [[Peabody Award]]s Board of Jurors from 1978 to 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/stories/story/george-foster-peabody-awards-board-members|title=George Foster Peabody Awards Board Members|website=www.peabodyawards.com|access-date=May 13, 2015|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330092338/http://www.peabodyawards.com/stories/story/george-foster-peabody-awards-board-members|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2021}}

=== Texas ===
The main terminal at [[Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]] is named after Jordan. The airport also features a [[Statue of Barbara Jordan (Austin–Bergstrom International Airport)|statue of Jordan]] by artist [[Bruce Wolfe]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara Jordan Memorial Statue at the Airport {{!}} AustinTexas.gov |url=https://www.austintexas.gov/department/barbara-jordan-memorial-statue-airport |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.austintexas.gov}}</ref>

A boulevard in central Austin is named after Jordan. Several schools bear her name, including elementary schools in [[Dallas, Texas]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Information / About Dr. Barbara Jordan |url=https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dallasisd.org%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FPageID%3D10365 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.dallasisd.org |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> [[Odessa, Texas]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Staff / About Jordan |url=https://www.ectorcountyisd.org/Page/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ectorcountyisd.org%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FPageID%3D1246 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.ectorcountyisd.org |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> [[Austin, Texas]], Barbara Jordan Early College Prep School,<ref>{{Cite web |last=administrator |date=2016-09-19 |title=History |url=https://barbarajordan.austinschools.org/our-school/history |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Barbara Jordan Early College Prep |language=en |archive-date=April 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410042529/https://barbarajordan.austinschools.org/our-school/history |url-status=dead }}</ref> Richmond, Texas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About BJE / Jordan Elementary |url=https://www.fortbendisd.com/domain/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fortbendisd.com%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FDomainID%3D8102 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.fortbendisd.com |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Barbara C. Jordan Intermediate School, a middle school in [[Cibolo, Texas]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us / About Us |url=https://www.scuc.txed.net/domain/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scuc.txed.net%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FDomainID%3D1046 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.scuc.txed.net |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> [[Barbara Jordan Career Center]] in Houston, and The Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara Jordan Institute |url=https://www.tsu.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/bjml-school-public-affairs/departments/centers-and-units/barbara-jordan-institute/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.tsu.edu}}</ref> at her undergraduate alma mater [[Texas Southern University]]. There is also a park named after Jordan in Needville, Texas (The Barbara Jordan Park).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara Jordan Park {{!}} Fort Bend County |url=https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/parks-and-recreation/county-parks-community-centers/barbara-jordan-park |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.fortbendcountytx.gov}}</ref>

The Kaiser Family Foundation operates the [[Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars]], a fellowship designed for people of color who are college juniors, seniors, and recent graduates as a summer experience working in a congressional office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program |url=https://www.kff.org/about-the-barbara-jordan-health-policy-scholars-program/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=KFF |language=en-US}}</ref>

On April 24, 2009, a [[Statue of Barbara Jordan (University of Texas at Austin)|statue of Barbara Jordan]] was unveiled at the [[University of Texas at Austin]], where Jordan taught at the time of her death. The Barbara Jordan statue campaign was paid for by a student fee increase approved by the University of Texas Board of Regents. The effort was originally spearheaded by the 2002–2003 Tappee class of the Texas Orange Jackets, the "oldest women's organization at the University" (of Texas at Austin).<ref>{{cite web |last=Sanders |first=Joshunda |date=April 20, 2009 |title=Jordan's statue to grace UT campus: Dedication of Barbara Jordan statue on Friday will include a weeklong celebration |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/20/0420jordan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716133608/http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/04/20/0420jordan.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=November 27, 2010 |publisher=Statesman.com}}</ref> Created by Bruce Wolfe, the statue stands on the campus's West Mall near the Student Union in 2009. One of her speeches is inscribed on granite slabs behind the statue, with some of her accomplishments also being listed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leahy |first=Cory |date=2009-04-24 |title=Statue Honoring Barbara Jordan Unveiled on The University of Texas at Austin Campus |url=https://news.utexas.edu/2009/04/24/statue-honoring-barbara-jordan-unveiled-on-the-university-of-texas-at-austin-campus/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=UT News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara Jordan Statue Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=186707 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref>

The Barbara Jordan Public-Private Leadership Award is presented by Texas Southern University's School of Public Affairs and School of Law. Its first recipient was former [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]], on June 4, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Forward Times |url=http://forwardtimesonline.com/2013/index.php/national-news/item/2707-the-honorable-hillary-rodham-clinton-receives-barbara-jordan-public-private-leadership-award |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610172944/http://forwardtimesonline.com/2013/index.php/national-news/item/2707-the-honorable-hillary-rodham-clinton-receives-barbara-jordan-public-private-leadership-award |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=June 10, 2015 |website=forwardtimesonline.com}}</ref>

In 2023, the fiftieth anniversary of Jordan's election to Congress, a meditative monument to Jordan was completed by artists Jamal Cyrus and Charisse Pearlina Weston at the [[African American Library at the Gregory School]] in Houston.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Meditative Space: Barbara Jordan Monument |url=https://www.houstonartsalliance.com/public-art-services/the-meditative-space-barbara-jordan-monument |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Houston Arts Alliance |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that year, a sculpture representing Jordan and created by artist [[Angelbert Metoyer]] was unveiled outside [[POST Houston|the former Barbara Jordan Post Office]] in Houston, TX.<ref>{{Cite web |title='I Am Barbara Jordan': Houston honors hometown political icon|url=https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/houston-honors-barbara-jordan |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Urban Edge |language=en}}</ref> The former sorting facility named after Jordan opened in 1962.<ref>{{cite web |last=de Luna |first=Marcy |date=September 20, 2016 |title=Developer has mega mixed-use plans for defunct downtown post office, call it Post HTX |url=http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/09-16-16-post-office/#slide=0 |access-date=February 2, 2020 |work=Culture Map Houston}}</ref>

Texas designated an 8-mile strip along Houston's Third Ward of State Highway 288, SH288, the Barbara Jordan Memorial Parkway.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-08 |title=Portion of Hwy 288 to be named Barbara Jordan Memorial Parkway honoring Houston's late congresswoman |url=https://abc13.com/barbara-jordan-memorial-parkway-highway-288-first-african-american-woman-elected-texas-senate-us-congress-from-a-southern-state/11633412/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=ABC13 Houston |language=en}}</ref>

=== Missouri ===
An elementary school in [[University City School District]] is named after her, Barbara C. Jordan Elementary in [[University City, Missouri]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School / About Our School |url=https://www.ucityschools.org/Page/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucityschools.org%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FPageID%3D1460 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=www.ucityschools.org |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

=== Other honors ===
In 2000, the Jordan/Rustin Coalition (JRC) was created,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jrcla.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021173249/http://jrcla.org/ |archive-date=2010-10-21 |title=Jordan/Rustin Coalition |website=jrcla.org |date=2010-09-20 |access-date=2010-09-20}}</ref> honoring Jordan and [[Bayard Rustin]], a leader in the [[civil rights movement]] and close confidante of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] The organization mobilized gay and lesbian African Americans to aid in the passage of marriage equality in the state of California. According to its website, "the mission [of the JRC] is to empower Black same-gender loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and families in Greater Los Angeles, to promote equal marriage rights and to advocate for fair treatment of everyone without regard to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."

On March 27, 2000, a play based on Jordan's life premiered at the Victory Garden Theater in Chicago, Illinois.<ref>{{cite book |last= Thatcher |first= Kristine |title= Voice of Good Hope |publisher= Dramatists Play Service, Inc. |year= 2004 |isbn= 0-8222-1960-3 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/voiceofgoodhope0000that }}</ref> Entitled ''Voice of Good Hope'', [[Kristine Thatcher]]'s biographical evocation of Jordan's life played in theaters from San Francisco to New York.<ref>Siegel, Naomi. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/24/nyregion/theater-review-she-had-a-voice-that-resonates-still.html THEATER REVIEW; She Had a Voice That Resonates Still]", ''The New York Times'', November 24, 2002. Retrieved November 20, 2008.</ref>

In 2011, the Barbara Jordan [[Forever Stamp]] was issued. It is the 34th stamp in the Black Heritage series of U.S. stamps.<ref name="ktrk">{{cite web|url=https://abc13.com/archive/8356990/|title=Stamp honors political trailblazer Barbara Jordan|work=ABC13 Houston|access-date=November 29, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304092551/http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8356990|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Jordan was inducted into the [[Legacy Walk]], an outdoor public display which celebrates [[LGBTQ]] history and people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacyprojectchicago.org/2012_INDUCTEES.html|title=2012 INDUCTEES|author=Victor Salvo // The Legacy Project|access-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref>
	
The Barbara Jordan Media Awards are given annually to media professionals and students who "have produced material for the public which accurately and positively reports on individuals with disabilities, using People First language and respectful depictions".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gov.texas.gov/disabilities/awards/barbara_jordan_media_awards/|title=Barbara Jordan Media Awards – Office of the Texas Governor – Greg Abbott|website=gov.texas.gov}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[History of the African-Americans in Houston]]
* [[List of African-American United States representatives]]
* [[List of first women lawyers and judges in Texas]]
* ''[[Texas African American History Memorial]]'', Texas State Capitol
* [[Women in the United States House of Representatives]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
Curtin, Mary Ellen. ''She Changed the Nation: Barbara Jordan's Life and Legacy in Black Politics.'' Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2024.

Rogers, Mary Beth. 1998. ''Barbara Jordan: American hero.''

== External links ==
{{Portal bar|Texas|Biography|Politics|United States|LGBTQ}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{CongBio|J000266}}
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-17419:1 Barbara Jordan, Governor of Texas for a day], program of ceremonies, June 10, 1972, hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080516031350/http://www.kaisernetwork.org/closerlook/05mar07 Interview with Max Sherman, editor of ''Barbara Jordan – Speaking the Truth with Eloquent Thunder''] on kaisernetwork.org
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100611085627/http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/oralhistory.hom/JordanB/jordan.asp Oral History Interviews with Barbara Jordan, from the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library]
* [https://texasarchive.org/taxonomy/term/116066 Film and video footage of Barbara Jordan], from the [[Texas Archive of the Moving Image]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170212204632/http://www.tsu.edu/academics/robert_j_terry_library/specialcollections.php Special Collections, Texas Southern University]
* [https://www.thisamericanlife.org/665/before-things-went-to-hell This American Life: Before Things Went to Hell, Act One, January 13, 2019]
*{{C-SPAN|1304}}

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{{Time Persons of the Year 1951–1975}}
{{United States presidential election, 1976}}
{{Texas Women's Hall of Fame}}
{{National Women's Hall of Fame}}
{{Spingarn Medal}}
{{African American topics}}
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