In The Beginning

Barbara Jordan was born on February 21, 1936 in Houston, Texas.

Her family was so poor that her bed was a foldout in the dining room that she shared with one of her sisters.

Although segregation was everywhere, Barbara knew it wasn't right. Born to be a debater, she debated this issue while on the high school debate team. In 1952, at the age of 16, she was awarded an all expense paid trip to a national debate contest in Chicago, which she won.

Barbara attended Texas Southern University, an all black college. She had already decided she wanted to be a lawyer and looked forward to joining the all male debate team. The coach told her that she couldn't join because she would need a female chaperone on their trips, which he didn't want to get. Barbara didn't give up. She changed her "look" to appear less feminine and the coach decided that she wouldn't be a threat to the team. They debated all over the country and won almost every tournament they were in, including tying the top ranked Harvard Debate Team.

After Barbara graduated from college, she went to Boston University Law School where she was one of two blacks and one of five women in the entire freshman class of 592. She really loved learning about the Constitution. When she graduated law school she chose to move back to Texas to practice law and eventually enter politics.