Jordan, Barbara Charline (1936-1996)

Other Media

Jordan, Barbara Charline (1936-1996)-Photo

Title

Jordan, Barbara Charline (1936-1996)

Contributor

Phillip, Emelda

Source

Barbara Jordan-Image

birthday

1936-02-21

Birthplace

Houston, TX

Death Date

1996-01-17

Occupation

Lawyer

Educator

Politician

Biographical Text

Barbara was a prominent African-American, female lawyer who played an important role in the John F. Kennedy-Lyndon B. Johnson campaign. Her mother, Arlyne Jordan, was a teacher in the church and a maid. Her father, Benjamin Jordan, was a Baptist preacher and a warehouse worker. Barbara's childhood was centered around the Good Hope Missionary Baptist church. She would recite poetry and sing gospel music with her sisters. Barbara attended Phillis Wheatley High School and graduated in 1952 with honors. Because of segregation, she could not study at the University of Texas at Austin and instead chose Texas Southern University. She majored in political science and history. She was a national champion debater and she graduated magna cum laude in 1956. She then attended Boston University School of Law and graduated in 1959. Barbara taught political science at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and in 1960 returned to Houston to open a private practice. Her work in politics began in 1960 when she became a volunteer for the John F. Kennedy-Lyndon B. Johnson campaign.

Barbara never married and although she never publicly identified herself as lesbian or queer, the U.S National Archives has referred to her as the first LGBTQ+ woman to serve in the United States Congress. Barbara and Nancy Earle shared a home in Austin Texas for 20 years. She retired from politics in 1978 due to developing multiple sclerosis. By 1992, Barbara used a wheelchair to get around. She passed away at the Austin Diagnostic Medical Center in Austin, Texas in 1996 at the age of 59.

Bibliography

Barbara Jordan, Wikipedia

Barbara Jordan, National Women's History Museum