Oprindelig uddannet skolelærer, men blev tidligt involveret i Det Demokratiske Parti i Texas. Læs Ann Richards biografi her på Wikipedia.
"Jeg ville ikke have at der stod på min gravsten at "Hun holdt virkelig hjemmet rent" Jeg vil gerne have at folk husker mig ved at sige "Hun åbnede systemet op for alle"." sagde Richards kort før hun stoppede som guvernør tilbage i januar 1995. To måneder forinden havde hun tabt valget til opkomlingen George W. Bush.
Ann Richards holdt hovedtalen på det demokratiske konvent i 1988 hvor hun blev husket for at sige to ting: "That Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, "only backwards and in high heels." og om den daværende vicepræsident og republikanske præsidentkandidat og fellow texan "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.". Læs og hør talen her.
Ann Richards som hun så ud den dag i 1988 da hun gav The Keynote Adress til det demokratiske konvent.
Ann Richards var en af de første kvinder der opnåede at blive guvernør. Jeg har af mere naturlige årsager kun hørt hende efter hun trådte tilbage bl.a. som gæst hos Larry King, og hun var både ganske morsom og en straight shooter der ikke dansede rundt om spørgsmålene.
I 1992 var hun formand for det demokratiske konvent i New York der nominerede Bill Clinton som præsidentkandidat. Bill Clinton vil i morgen holde tale ved mindehøjtidligheden i Austin, Texas og mandag vil der være endnu en mindehøjtidlighed på University of Texas-Austin hvor den anden halvdel af Clinton-parret vil kigge forbi.
Læs nekrolog her.
Hvad andre sagde:
Præsident George W. Bush (R-Tex.):
"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Ann Richards of Texas. Ann loved Texas, and Texans loved her. As a public servant she earned respect and admiration. Ann became a national role model, and her charm, wit, and candor brought a refreshing vitality to public life. We extend our sympathies to Ann's family and friends. Texas has lost one of its great daughters."
Præsident Bill og Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY):
"Governor Ann Richards was a longtime friend and hero to millions of Americans for her trailblazing accomplishments and her infectious zeal for justice and equality.
Ann always spoke her mind, and her heart, and her political tenacity was a result of her great passion to improve the lives of others. Her steadfast commitment to her beliefs and her desire to do what was best for the people of Texas was an example to all who serve the American people. Her legendary wit and sense of humor always brightened our day and brought relief to many.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. She was a wonderful friend and human being and we will miss her dearly."
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas):“Ann Richards was a trailblazer in our beloved state of Texas. She was fun, and funny, and irreverent and loved life. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”
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