Richards, Ann (1933–2006)

Former Texas Governor Dorothy Ann Willis Richards championed her beloved Texas and appointed more women and minorities to state positions during her term than any other governor. Serving as the 45th governor of Texas, and only the second woman governor of the state, Ann Richards got her start in elective politics in 1976 as a Travis county commissioner and went on to serve as Texas state treasurer until her gubernatorial election in 1990.

“Welcome to the first day of the new Texas!” With these words Governor Richards opened her inaugural address on January 15, 1991, and defined the hallmark of her political communication. Not only did Richards revitalize the Texas economy, she also cut state bureaucracy and advocated insurance, education, and prison reform.

Governor Richards's style of ...