Barbara Jordan was an influential American politician and civil rights leader, born on February 21, 1936, in Houston, Texas. She was the first African American woman elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction and later served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979. Jordan was known for her powerful speeches and commitment to social justice, particularly in advocating for the rights of marginalized communities. In addition to her political career, Jordan was a prominent figure in the Watergate hearings, where she gained national recognition for her eloquent questioning. After leaving Congress, she became a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and continued to influence public policy and education until her death on January 17, 1996.