Travelers passing through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport encounter the Barbara Jordan Terminal, named in honor of an influential figure in American history. Barbara Charline Jordan, born on February 21, 1936, in Houston, Texas, was a trailblazer who broke numerous barriers in her lifetime.
Jordan’s education began at Houston public schools and continued with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Southern University in 1956 and a law degree from Boston University in 1959. Her legal career started in 1960, and she was involved in John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign.
Despite initial setbacks in political races for the Texas House of Representatives in 1962 and 1964, Jordan achieved significant milestones. In 1966, she became the first Black woman elected to the Texas State Senate. By 1972, she was President Pro Tempore of the Texas State Senate and made history as the first Black woman to preside over a legislative body. That same year, she became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress from the South.
Jordan gained national attention during her time on the Judiciary Committee considering impeachment articles against President Nixon amid the Watergate Scandal. She served multiple terms representing Greater Houston before retiring from Congress in 1979.
Her post-congressional career included teaching at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin for 17 years. Jordan’s contributions were recognized with inductions into both the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame and National Women’s Hall of Fame and by receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Clinton.
Barbara Jordan passed away on January 17, 1996, due to complications from pneumonia and leukemia at age 59. She was buried as the first Black woman at Texas State Cemetery.
In tribute to her legacy, Austin named its airport terminal after her in 1999. Her influence is further commemorated through various honors including a U.S Postal Service stamp and having state buildings named after her.
Currently, an exhibit featuring archival photographs and a timeline of her life surrounds Bruce Wolfe’s Seated Heroic Sculpture of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan at Austin’s airport terminal during ongoing construction projects.
