Barbara Jordan was the first African-American woman elected to the Texas Senate and the first Southern African-American woman to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. She was a power house during her time. Some of her most notable contributions to American politics was her televised speech to impeach President Richard Nixon in 1974; the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 that pushed banks to provide loans for minority populations; and Jordan supported the Voting Rights Act renewal in 1965. Although Jordan never publicly described herself as Queer, she is considered to be the first LGBTQ+ woman to serve in Congress.
Although known for her many contributions to American politics and laws, some of which are still in effect today, Barbara Jordan's legacy can be summed up in the impact of her 1977 Harvard Commencement speech.
“The stakes are too high for government to be a spectator sport."
Jordan understood that American democracy works only if all eligible voters participate. Whether we directly realize it or not, every aspect of our life is influenced by the actions of our representatives and government - on all levels. Are you upset by a new development being created near your home - your local government decided to build there. Are you annoyed that you have to sit at a very busy street every day waiting for a gap in traffic before you can make a left - your local government could add a traffic light to that intersection. Do you like going to your local public library to check out books - that library is funded by your local government. Because government effects so many parts of our lives, it's important to vote in every election, not just the presidential ones.
Politics and government can be really frustrating, but it's designed that way. This exhibit will walk you through how the American election process works and explain why voting is a vital part of our democracy and lives.
Credits
This exhibition is curated by John Caldwell, political and public policy papers archivist; Kaitlyn Tanis, history and social sciences librarian.
