Ferguson, Miriam “Ma” Amanda Wallace (1875–1961)

Miriam Amanda Wallace Ferguson, the first female governor of Texas, was born on June 13, 1875, in Bell County, Texas. She was the eldest of three daughters and the third of six children of Joseph Lapsley and Eliza Garrison Wallace. She received her early education by private tutor at home and at the preparatory school Salado College. Next she attended Baylor Female College (later Mary Hardin-Baylor College). On December 31, 1899, she married James Edward Ferguson, her cousin by marriage. In 1914 Jim Ferguson was elected governor of Texas. There was little criticism of Miriam as First Lady. During Jim's first term, there was much criticism of his handling of the state finances, yet he was reelected to a second term in 1916. The next ...