Music and Cats

Ann Richards was the picture of a Texan lady of a certain age: silvery bouffant, carefully reddened lips, feminine suits. Walk into the country clubs and beauty parlors of any Texas city, and you’ll see women cut from a similar mold. When Richards spoke, the sound was pure Texas drawl, but the words - and the lightning-quick wit behind them - were distinctly hers.

Ann Richards was the last governor of Texas for whom I voted. During the past decade, I have sometimes wondered how our nation - and my home state of Texas - would be different today had she not lost the 1994 gubernatorial election to George W. Bush.

In her single term, Richards appointed more women, Hispanics and African-Americans to governmental posts than any other Texas governor. Shortly before leaving office, Richards said, “I did not want my tombstone to read, ‘She kept a really clean house.’ I think I’d like them to remember me by saying, ‘She opened government to everyone.’ ” After leaving office, Richards continued to work for the election of women and minorities to public office. Earlier this year, the Austin ISD announced the creation of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, a college prep school for girls, which will enroll its first class of 6th and 7th graders in fall of 2007.

Ann Richards died on September 13, from complications of esophogeal cancer. She was one of a kind. She will be missed.

Update: When I heard of Richards’ death, I knew that Molly Ivins - another smart, funny Texas woman - would have something to say. Ivins remembered Ann Richards today. The accompanying photo of the Governor on a motorcycle is one of my favorite images of her.

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