‘She changed the nation’: New book explores life and legacy of late Houston Congresswoman Barbara Jordan – Houston Public Media

A native of Houston, Barbara Jordan was known for her commanding voice, her rapid rise in Texas politics, and her deep respect for the U.S. Constitution, which was reflected in the congresswoman’s speech during the Watergate impeachment hearings in 1974.

The late congresswoman was born and raised in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Although she is celebrated as the first black Southern woman in Congress, there is much more to be said about her life and legacy.

Mary Ellen Curtin is a historian who studies the modern social and political history of African Americans and women. Her new book is titled She changed the nation: Barbara Jordan’s life and legacy in black politics.

Curtin tells Houston Matters producer Celeste Schurman about Jordan’s life, her time in politics and aspects of her private life that the congresswoman kept secret during her time in office.