1. Robert said:
Sarah T. Hughes—police officer, lawyer, legislator, state judge and federal judge—in her lifetime, she saw a lot of ‘firsts’. She was one of the first women elected to the Texas legislature in 1930, just ten years after women won the right to vote. She was the first woman elected state judge, and President Kennedy appointed her as a federal judge, the first woman in Texas to do so. As a federal judge, she served on a three-judge panel which heard Roe v. Wade. When President Kennedy was assassinated, she swore President Johnson in as President of the United States—the only women ever to do so.
Works Cited
Babcock, Kaycie Czeluta and Professor. "Women's Legal History Stanford University." Grace Under Pressure: Judge Sarah T. Hughes and the Cases that Shook Texas, April 5, 2002: 1-45.
Frantz, Joe B. Sarah T. Hughes Oral History Interview. October 7, 1968. http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/oralhistory.hom/HUGHES-S/hughes-s.pdf (accessed July 18, 2009).Judge Sarah T. Hughes collection. June 11, 2009. http://www.library.unt.edu/archives/historical-manuscripts/historical-manuscripts-exhibits/hughes/ (accessed July 19, 2009).
LaForte, Robert S. Sarah Tilghman Hughes. Texas State Historical Association. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/HH/fhu68.html (accessed July 18, 2009).
2. Kimberly said:
Judge Hilda Tagle - first Hispanic woman United States District Judge for the Southern Judicial District of Texas (Brownsville). Although she spent most of her childhood in Robstown, Hilda Tagle was born in Corpus Christi. She was eldest of five surviving children and the only girl. Her parents were migrant laborers, struggling to support their children on the meager wages of agricultural workers. Growing up in poverty in ethnically divided Texas, Tagle excelled academically and was advanced a grade in elementary school. It was at this early age that Tagle first experienced blatant discrimination as the school principal attempted to refuse Tagle admission to the school because of her ethnicity. José Angel Gutiérrez, Michelle Meléndez, and Sonia Adriana Noyola relate the incident in their book Chicanas in Charge: Texas Women in the Public Arena and state, “While the principal eventually relented, Hilda was warned that she’d be watched especially” (138). This was her first encounter with the bigotry and intolerance she would vow to overcome and then change. Encouraged by her parents, Tagle devoted herself to education, spending her free time at the library reading and learning. Although neither of Tagle’s parents could completely understand their only daughter’s fierce desire to attend college, they supported her and in 1967 Tagle received her Associate's degree from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and went on to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Library Science and Spanish in 1969 from Texas A&M University at Commerce. Although she now had a degree and was employed as a librarian, Tagle could not rid herself of her desire to resume school and pursue a law degree. She remembered the stigma of poverty and the injustice of discrimination and was determined to change this bias. She returned to Commerce in 1974 but her return to academia seemed destined to be short-lived as she soon realized that she had no way of affording further education. Fortunately, one of Tagle’s former professors, a woman who believed in Tagle’s ability and motivation, loaned her the money for tuition and Tagle received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1977. With her J.D., Tagle was one of the earliest women of Nueces County in Corpus Christi to try jury cases. The website Judgepedia cites Judge Tagle’s legal career as follows:
"Tagle was a law clerk for the Legal Aid Society of Central Texas in 1977, assisting low-income and indigent clients, while serving as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Corpus Cristi, Texas until 1978. Tagle was Assistant County Attorney for Nueces County, Texas from 1978 to 1980 and from 1980 to 1981, Tagle was also the Assistant District Attorney for Nueces County, Texas. From 1981 to 1985, Tagle was an instructor in the Legal Assistant Program at Del Mar College. Tagle served as County Court Judge in the Nueces County Court At Law No.3, Texas from 1985 to 1994. In 1994, Tagle was Judge of the District Court for the 148th District Court of Texas until her appointment to the Federal Bench in 1998. On March 21, 1997 President Clinton nominated Tagle to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and on March 11, 1998 Tagle was conformed by the U.S. Senate and received commission on March 17. Judge Tagle has pursued her ambition and become one of the few Hispanic women judges of Texas. She draws on both her knowledge and her experience in hearing cases involving many poor, many minority, and many marginalized women and men. Texas, despite its Hispanic origins and despite its high Hispanic population, does not afford Hispanics, particularly Hispanic women, much space in its history books. Judge Tagle exemplifies the value of education, of hard work, and of the sheer strength and drive needed in order to overcome both racist and sexist barriers. She has reached her goal and from the bench she strives for fairness and equity in serving her community and her state. Texas history would do well to proudly claim her as a native daughter.
Works Cited
Gutiérrez, José Angel, Michelle Meléndez, and Sonia Adriana Noyola. Chicanas in Charge: Texas Women in the Public Arena. Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press, 2006. 137-143.
“Hilda Tagle.” Judgepedia. 22 July 2009 <http://judgepedia.org/index.php/Hilda_Tagle>.
3. Ashley said:
Eleanor Brackenridge (1837-1924) was a woman’s rights advocate and woman’s club member. She was active in the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Texas Mothers’ Congress, and the Order of the Eastern Star. She supported the Women’s Christian Temperance Movement and prohibition. She actually founded the Woman’s Club of San Antonio, and served as its president for seven years. As the president, she led the club in advocating for females to work as police officers, probation officers, and educators. She even created a pamphlet for women called “The Legal Status of Texas Women.”
Brackenridge went on to become help establish and become president of San Antonio Equal Franchise Society, a club that lobbied for woman’s suffrage. She served as president for a year, and continued to support the movement after her service term ended. She also helped establish the Texas Woman Suffrage Association, and was constantly active in her passion for women’s rights. When suffrage was granted, she was the first woman in Bexar County to register to vote.
Brackenridge also supported women’s education, and was part of the group that founded Texas Woman’s University, originally called the College of Industrial Arts. The college was the first woman’s state supported college. Brackendrige served on its first Board of Regents, was active in the school’s issues, and often helped out students in need of financial assistance. She even donated a small house that served as a dorm, and now has a dorm on campus named after her.
Works Cited
Taylor, A. Elizabeth. “Mary Eleanor Brackenridge.” The Handbook of Texas Online,
“The Movement Comes of Age.” Votes for Women! Texas State Library & Archives Commission < http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/suffrage/comesofage/page2.html> (accessed July 25, 2009)
4. Debbie said:
If any woman deserves to be included in Texas History books, one has to consider Hortense Ward. Hortense Ward was the first woman admitted to the Texas bar. Not only did she achieve something no other woman had yet achieved, she campaigned to help other woman. Ward was very involved in championing women’s rights, and along with Minnie Fisher Cunningham was instrumental in the passing of the 1918 partial suffrage resolution. Ward became the first woman in Harris County to register to vote.
Ward was also interested in social reform and willing to do something about it. When she was concerned about the rights of Married women’s property, she worked to get the Married Woman's Property Law of 1913 passed by the Texas Legislature, which gave women control of their separate property and wages. Concerned about women in industry, she helped with a fifty four-hour week for women. Ward also helped to institute a women's division in the state department of labor, a domestic relations court, and the right of women to serve as officers of corporations. In 1915, she was the very first southern woman admitted to practice before the Supreme Court. Ward also cared about African Americans and was active in both state and national government and fought against the Ku Klux Klan. Her tireless efforts on behalf of women were instrumental in advancing the causes of women and put us on the right path and set a good example for future women to follow.
Works Cited
W.D. Hornaday Collection, Prints and Photographs Collection, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. #75/70-5363.
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/exhibits/suffrage/aftermath/hortense_ward.html(accessed July 25, 2009).
Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. ","
http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/WW/fwa83.html (accessed July 27, 2009).
5. Jordan said:
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman was an incredible woman who overcame the odds and became the first African American female pilot. Growing up in a time of discrimination Bessie yearned to become something great despite the obstacles standing in her way. She saved her money and traveled to France where she received her pilot licenses on June, 15, 1921. Bessie returned to the U.S. where she began to teacher other black women to fly planes. She died on April 30, 1926 when she was thrown from her plane and fell to her death.
Work Cited
“Bessie Coleman.” Atlanta Historical Museum, http://www.bessiecoleman.com/
“Bessie Coleman (1892-1926).” The American Experience, PBS, www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/flygirls/peopleevents.html
6. Heather said:
In 1922, Sarah Tilghman Hughes moved to Texas from Washington D.C., where she had used her degree from George Washington University Law School to serve as a police officer. While in Texas, she served on the Texas House of Representatives for three terms. In 1936, she became the first woman state district judge in Texas. She served in Dallas until 1961, when President Kennedy appointed her as the first ever woman federal district judge. Her most recognized case was Roe v. Wade. She should be included in history textbooks because of her service to her federal and state governments.
Works Cited
Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. "Sarah Tilghman Hughes," http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/HH/fhu68.html (accessed July 27, 2009).
7. Stacey said:
There was a time when science was not a popular career path for women, but one woman from a small Texas town overlooked that stereotype. Lorene Rogers not only became a scientist she did so in a time when men dominated the field. She came from a small Texas town, Prosper, which now has a middle school named after her. She earned a doctorate in biochemistry from UT where she later became the first ever female president of a major research college. She also served as director of a major oil company, Texaco.
www.utexas.edu/news/2009/01/12/lorene_rogers/
www.statesman.com/.../former_ut_president_lorene_rog.html
8. Allicia said:
One of the essential aspects of history is to include contemporary leaders into the discussion and highlight their achievements. Eddie Bernice Johnson, a African-American Congresswoman from Dallas, is pushing through issues that are important to her constituents: predominately minority residents from Dallas county. From her days as a nurse, recipient of a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, work for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Carter, successful businesswoman, and a member of the Texas Senate, Johnson has been dedicated to enriching the lives of all Texas citizens and progressing the state of Texas.Works Cited:Eddie Bernice Johnson- Encyclopedia Entry.
9. Lara said:
Bessie Coleman was known to the public as “Queen Bess”. She was the first female African-American black pilot ever to be licensed, and the first American of any race or gender to obtain an International pilot license. She earned her license in France and returned to the United States as a performance flier. Unfortunately, in 1926 she died falling from an airplane while testing an open-cockpit plane. In 1995, the United States postal office issued a stamp in her honor.
"Bessie Coleman Biography (Aviator) — Infoplease.com." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com. 31 July 2009 http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/bessiecoleman.html.
10. Melissa said:
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Eddie Bernice Johnson should be included in the Texas Women’s History blog because as Congresswomen for the 30th District in the House of Representatives she works tirelessly for her constituents. Congresswoman Johnson secured more than $87 million in transportation funding for North Texas. Congresswoman Johnson was directly responsible for passing the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. She also introduced H.R. 619 Community Assistance Act for Persons with Mental Illness to help provide housing and counseling and, H.R. 1192, the Alzheimer’s Family Assistance Act to assist families financially who care for affected family members.
Works Cited
“Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson”, http://ebjohnson.house.gov/index.html (accessed July 24,2009)
11. Andra said:
Jane Yelvington McCallum (1877–1957)
During the days of suffrage, there were many women behind the scenes that worked diligently in an effort to improve conditions for women, children, and society as a whole. Jane Y. McCallum was one of those women. She was married with five children, and was extremely efficient at balancing her family life with her growing career as an activist. McCallum was instrumental in changing legislation affecting issues from child labor to prohibition.
During the early 1900’s, McCallum became interested in the political and civic issues going on during that time. McCallum organized the Women’s Joint Legislative Council (JLC), also know as the “Petticoat Lobby”, which was one of the most successful lobbying organizations in Texas. As a mother, she was very interested in the mistreatment of children. The Texas penal system, at that time, was more interested in punishment than with rehabilitation, even when the criminals were juveniles. Through the efforts of the Petticoat Lobby, the Juvenile Delinquency Court Act was established, which established juvenile courts for lawbreakers under 16 and required parental notification. Unfortunately, “the law lacked concrete guidelines for court procedure, probation, or sentencing” (Bush), which prompted further legal clarification afterwards. Nevertheless, this Act began a positive change for children.
By 1915, she already served in leadership capacity for city and state suffrage associations. In that same she became president of the Austin Woman Suffrage Association. During World War I, her organization “helped Austin women raise early $700,000 for the war effort”. (“Jane Yelvington McCallum …”) In 1918, McCallum and her counterparts were involved in the push for allowing Texas women the right to vote in primary elections. She later lobbied the state in 1919, and in June of that year, Texas extended the voting rights to include all elections.
In 1919, she campaigned with Annie Webb Blanton and others to pass the Better Schools Amendment to the Constitution of 1876, which placed a limit on school taxes. The Amendment allowed more money to be put into the schools in hopes to improve education for children. In 1920, the JLC was “frustrated with a pattern of prisoner abuses, official misconduct, waste, inefficiency, and inadequate state legislative responses to prison issues” (Lucko). McCallum and her group were responsible for improving or eliminating many of these conditions within the prison system.
Texas Governor Daniel J. Moody appointed her as Secretary of State in 1927. During her term in office she found the original Texas Declaration of Independence in a vault and put it on public display. McCallum also “penned a weekly newspaper column, profiled the sculptor Elisabet Ney, and published a book of biographical essays, Women Pioneers.” (“Jane Y. McCallum Suffragist …”) She continued lobbying and public speaking for many years and in 1954, became the first woman grand jury commissioner in Travis County.
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Works Cited
“Jane Y. McCallum Suffragist, Politician, and Author, 1877-1957”. The University of Texas at Austin website. 28 July 2009 <http://www.utexas.edu/gtw/mccallum.php>.
“Jane Yelvington McCallum Suffrage Leader and Texas Secretary of State”. Chapter 21 Section 1 Early Reforms in Texas; Pupil’s Edition p. 418. Celebrating Texas website. 01 August 2009 <http://www.celebratingtexas.com/tr/lsl/69.pdf>.
Bush, William S. “Protecting Texas’ Most Precious Resource: A History of Juvenile Justice Policy in Texas”. Criminal Justice Coalition website. 01 August 2009 <http://www.criminaljusticecoalition.org/files/userfiles/juvenilejustice/tcjc_publications/History_of_JJ_Policy_In_TX,_Pt.1.pdf>.
Lucko, Paul. “Texas Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor”. TSHA Online website. 01 August 2009 <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/TT/mdtva.html>.
12. Rebecca said:
Sarah T. Hughes (1896-1985), jurist, politician, feminist, federal judge. Born in Baltimore, Maryland. Below you will view a list of Judge Sarah Hughes accomplishments:
(1) Graduate of Goucher College and taught science for two years.
(2) Graduate of Washington University School of Law in 1922 (during this time, she attended law school at night and was employed during the day as a police officer, primarily working with juveniles). She married her husband, George Hughes of Palestine, Texas. Both George and Sarah Hughes relocated to Dallas, Texas, where Mr. Hughes practiced law. In 1923, Sarah Hughes joined her husband’s law firm until 1935.
(3) 1935 was appointed to the Fourteenth District Court in Dallas, Texas.
(4) Sarah Hughes was the first woman State District Judge in Texas. (President John F. Kennedy appointed her to this office).
(5) 1936, Ms. Hughes was elected and then, re-elected on six subsequent terms (the last term was in 1960).
(6) Before appointed as a District Judge, she served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
(7) After Women’s suffrage, Ms. Hughes was the first woman elected to the Legislature.
(8) In 1933, the Austin newspaper reporters names Sarah Hughes as, The state’s most effective representative.”
(9) Sarah Hughes was also President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club.
(10)Sarah Hughes also played a major role in the construction of the firstJuvenile center in Dallas, Texas (1950).
(11)Sarah Hughes secured an amendment to the Texas Constitution, allowingwomen to serve as jurors.
(12)Some of her well-known accomplishments as a judge are as follows:(A) Roe vs. Wade (1970-legislation of abortion in the United States).(B) Shultz vs. Brookhaven General Hospital (1969-equal pay for equal workFor women).(C) Taylor vs. Sterrett (1972-upgrading prisoner treatment at the DallasCounty jail).
(13)She administered the ‘Oath of Office,’ to Lyndon B. Johnson onboard AirForce One, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
(14) Attended the National Women’s Conference of 1977.
(15)Participated in the inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
(16)Participated in the book signing of Lady Bird’s Johnson’s, White HouseMemoirs.
(17)Participated in the dedication of the LBJ Presidential Library.
These are some of the most important accomplishments of Judge Sarah T. Hughes. No doubt, she has made a sizeable contribution to our society in an enduring way. Whether working as a police officer by day and attending law school at night, working with juveniles, promoting the welfare of the fair and humane treatment of prisoners, establishing a detention center, to becoming a Federal Judge. Sarah Hughes has gone through and survived decades of struggles against sexism, racism and poverty. Ms. Hughes is truly one of Texas’ freedom fighters. Sarah T. Hughes, an extraordinary woman, who deserves to be included in our Texas history books for her unyielding and substantial contributions, not just to women, but to society as a whole.
