Groundbreaking Texan Honored Saturday
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Groundbreaking Texan Honored Saturday
Texas women’s pioneer Sissy Farenthold has been honored for her groundbreaking accomplishments in law, politics and education.
width:200 and height: 120 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 120
Font Size:

(March 8, 2008)--Frances "Sissy" Farenthold spent years as a "first" or as a women's pioneer in a number of roles: In law school, in the Texas House of Representatives, as head of a women's college, a candidate for governor and a serious contender for the vice presidential nomination.

On Saturday, she'll be the first to be awarded a lifetime achievement honor by the American Civil Liberties Union in Texas.

The award is named for sharp-witted syndicated columnist Molly Ivins, who died last year.

The award is being given at the ACLU of Texas' 70th anniversary gala in San Antonio.

Now 81, Farenthold was elected as state representative from Corpus Christi in 1968 as the only woman in the Texas House at the time.

She ran for governor in 1972, making the runoff, and ran again unsuccessfully in 1974.

She rose to became a national figure in 1972 when she was nominated for vice president at the Democratic National Convention.

She garnered 420 votes before withdrawing in favor of U.S. Sen. Thomas Eagleton, who then ran with George McGovern.

She went on to work as the president of Wells College in New York, one of the nation's oldest women's liberal arts colleges.

She became a well-known activist on the equal rights amendment, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental protection.

She was chairwoman of the Rothko Chapel in Houston until last year.

Click Here For Texas ACLU Web Site
More Stories
KWTX.com Features
Double Dollar Deals
Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am.
Law Line
This free service can help you find answers to your legal questions about personal injury, criminal law, bankruptcy, family law and more.
Army Way
Learn all about the symbols, traditions, and customs of the US Army.
Job of the Week
Click now to see hundreds of other jobs on Job Board TV!


Catering Ambassador - If you are an expert at customer service, love sales & McAlister’s Deli’s sweet tea then come work for us! We are looking for an energetic, friendly, self-starter who has experience with both sales and customer service for their Catering Ambassador position. Join the McAlister’s team!

Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.