Trailblazing Woman: Houstonian Frances “Sissy” Farenthold reflects on nearly a hundred years of advocating for women’s legal rights

Beatriz Oliveros, Houston Lifetime Producer, Houston

Katie Meyers, Executive Producer, Houston Lifestyle

Paul Shelton, Houston Lifetime Photographer

Pictures plus some movie footage due to Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold: a citizen that is noble2015), created by the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice in the University of Texas School of Law, with pictures from Sissy’s papers during the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin.

HOUSTON – Women’s History Month is a period to mirror upon the contributions created by trailblazing women that weren’t scared of talking up and challenging the status quo.

Those types of ladies life here in Houston, and her operate in general public service spans almost a whole century.

Frances “Sissy” Farenthold had been one of many female that is first State Representatives, an applicant for governor, spouse and mom of five, and a champ of equal legal rights for all. And therefore list just scratches the surface.

Have a deep plunge with us in to the remarkable and impressive life of Sissy Farenthold by watching the movie above, by viewing among the Rapoport Center’s movies about her life right here, or by viewing the schedule below.

Sissy Farenthold: A Noble resident (The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1926 – Frances “Sissy” Farenthold comes into the world in Corpus Christi. Growing up, Sissy saw the battles dealing with her next-door next-door next-door neighbors, specially non-white minorities.

Sissy Farenthold: a citizen that is nobleThe Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1946 – Sissy graduates from Vassar College in Dutchess County, ny, and chooses to keep on to legislation college during the University of Texas. In a learning pupil human anatomy of 800, Sissy had been certainly one of simply three females.

“There had been always plenty of talk, ” stated Sissy. “But i recently left that only and worked. And I’ll inform you once I had my pleasure that is greatest – to see my title regarding the honor roll. We liked your competition. ”

Sissy Farenthold: A Noble resident (The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1949 – Sissy graduates from legislation college. She comes back to Corpus Christi to apply legislation at her father’s company. Surrounding this right time, Sissy marries and contains five kids. She takes a hiatus from exercising legislation to improve her young kids, and took this as a way to engage civic affairs and financial justice.

“I thought we had been voting of these individuals since they had been caring for these things. Nevertheless they weren’t, ” said Sissy, referencing the regional politicians she had been observing. That’s when she chose to do something by by herself.

Sissy Farenthold: A Noble resident (The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1969-1973 – Sissy served into the Texas House of Representatives. At that time, she had been the only girl in your house. She invested her very first two-year term concentrating on civil legal rights and financial chance for bad females and kiddies. She co-sponsored the Equal Rights Amendment with State Senator Barbara Jordan. In 1973 she had been opted for because the very first seat regarding the National Women’s Political Caucus.

“I don’t think there clearly was any concern about ever stopping. I did son’t have that during my mind. We was gonna try this. ”

Sissy Farenthold: a citizen that is nobleThe Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1972 – a few women’s groups faucet Sissy to operate as a vice-presidential nominee at the 1972 Democratic National Convention. She arrived in second towards the presidential nominee’s option, U.S. Senator Thomas F. Eagleton of Missouri. She garnered more delegate votes than future U.S. President Jimmy Carter of Georgia.

“It waplog app is she and she alone whom undoubtedly represents what exactly is different concerning the 1972 convention, ” stated activist Gloria Steinem at the 1972 National that is democratic Convention. “before you, a coalition of women, black people, Spanish speaking people and young people who support her. Make history know that this was a different convention in us, her supporters, you see. Vote for Sissy Farenthold for Vice President regarding the united states of america. ”

Sissy Farenthold: A Noble resident (The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1972 & 1974 – Sissy unsuccessfully seeks the Democratic nomination for Governor of Texas.

Sissy Farenthold: a citizen that is nobleThe Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1976-1980 – Sissy serves as president of Wells university in Aurora, nyc. In this part, she founded people Leadership Education Network from the thought that women’s colleges want to come together to coach and prepare ladies for general public leadership.

“To me personally, the search for public workplace could be the corollary to full citizenship, ” said Sissy whenever expected by a reporter if a lady might be selected being a vice candidate that is presidential. “Until you’re in a position to pursue that with no qualifying adjectives, we don’t think you’ve got complete citizenship. ”

Sissy Farenthold: a citizen that is nobleThe Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

1980 – Sissy came back to Houston to rehearse legislation and teach during the University of Houston and Texas Southern University class of Law.

(Sissy Farenthold: A Noble Citizen. The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice)

NOW – Sissy serves as Honorary Director of Rothko Chapel, and serves regarding the board that is advisory of Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice of UT Law. She will continue to provide her vocals and help to human being legal rights efforts throughout the world as well as in Houston.

“Well there certainly happens to be a change. Associated with part of females, ” stated Sissy. “there was a comprehension in my opinion had not been here prior to. I’m hopeful. ”

A film can be watched by you, made by the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice into the website website link below.

Browse https: //law. Utexas.edu/farenthold/ when it comes to Rapoport Center’s interactive archive and number of movies depicting Sissy Farenthold’s life’s just work at their state, nationwide, and international amounts.

The archival material on the website is merely a sampling of Sissy’s papers, that are housed in the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History in the University of Texas at Austin.

The Rapoport Center and Rothko Chapel co-sponsor an annual lecture series in her honor if you would like to celebrate or help support the legacy of Sissy’s relentless pursuit of social justice. You’ll find extra information here.

In regards to the Authors: Beatriz is a producer for Houston life.

She’s your pet dog mother whom enjoys eating and traveling her means through brand brand brand new metropolitan areas and countries.

Katie Meyers may be the Executive Producer of KPRC 2’s Houston Life, a variety and lifestyle show focused on celebrating the city of houston afternoon. She enjoys podcasts, show tunes, her rescue pup Penny and coffee. Plenty of coffee.