You’ve probably already read about it, but Gov Ann Richards passed away last night. I encountered her about half a dozen times over the last twenty years, all of them brief encounters with short conversations, and an occasional hug. I can’t honestly call her a friend of mine, but she was definitely an inspiration.
Ms Richards was one of three prominent Democrats in an ugly 1990 Democratic primary for governor. Much hay was made of her earlier life battling alcohol and drugs while she held lower elected offices. She didn’t choose the easy path of forgetting her past, but instead, demonstrated her strength by helping others to get past their addictions as a counselor and volunteer at the Faukner Center. It was there that I ran into her twice while delivering pizzas. She was courageous through that primary fight and wound up becoming the Dem nominee for governor against Texas wildcat businessman Clayton Williams.
I gathered with some friends of mine to eat popcorn and watch election returns as the first female candidate for such a high position in Texas, not expecting her to win at all. The returns were very close, and I remember the lead changing several times that evening. Incredibly, she won, and became one of the most prominent governors in the US.
Later in 1994, Ann’s loss to the boy who would be king was a transformational moment in my life. It was the moment that I decided to stop being a spectator in the political world, and to actually play a part in fixing the problems within our governments and political processes. Looking back, I have to add that Governor Richards was a far better man than her successor.
Ms Richards has two daughters, if I remember correctly. One of them, Cecile, continues in the path of service carved out by her mother. A founder of Texas Freedom Network, she has since moved on to Washington DC and is the chair of a national womens rights PAC.
Thanks for giving this a read, and I hope that y’all can take a moment to recognize her life over the next week or two. And to take to heart her commitment to the people of Texas through the rest of your life.
Mike Conwell
Austin, TX