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

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

Beatriz Oliveros, Houston Lifetime Producer, Houston

Katie Meyers, Executive Producer, Houston Lifetime

Paul Shelton, Houston Lifestyle Photographer

Pictures plus some movie footage thanks to Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold: a citizen that is noble2015), generated by the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice during the University of Texas class of Law, with images 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 efforts produced by trailblazing ladies who weren’t scared of talking up and challenging the status quo.

Among those females everyday lives here in Houston, and her work with general general general public service spans almost a whole century.

Frances “Sissy” Farenthold ended up being one of several very first female Texas State Representatives, an applicant for governor, spouse and mom of five, and a champ of equal legal rights for all. And that list just scratches the area.

Simply take a deep plunge with us in to the remarkable and impressive lifetime of Sissy Farenthold by viewing the movie above, by viewing one of several Rapoport Center’s movies about her life here, or by viewing the timeline below.

Sissy Farenthold: a citizen that is nobleThe 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 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 carry on to legislation college during the University of Texas. In a learning pupil human anatomy of 800, Sissy ended up being certainly one of simply three ladies.

“There had been always lots of talk, ” stated Sissy. “But i recently left that only and worked. And I’ll let you know whenever I had my best pleasure – to see my title regarding the honor roll. We liked your competition. ”

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

1949 – Sissy graduates from legislation college. She returns to Corpus Christi to rehearse legislation at her father’s company. For this right time, Sissy marries and has now five kids. She requires a hiatus from exercising legislation to increase her small children, and took this as a way to build relationships civic affairs and financial justice.

“I thought I became voting for those individuals since they had been care that is taking of things. Nonetheless they weren’t, ” said Sissy, referencing the neighborhood politicians she had been watching. That’s whenever she chose to do something by herself.

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

1969-1973 – Sissy served within the Texas House of Representatives. At that time, she had been the only girl in the home. She spent her very first two-year term concentrating on civil liberties and economic window of opportunity for poor females and kiddies. She co-sponsored the Equal Rights Amendment with State Senator Barbara Jordan. In 1973 she ended up being plumped for once the very first chair associated with the National Women’s Political Caucus.

“I don’t think there clearly was any concern about ever stopping. I did son’t have that in my own head. We was gonna repeat this. ”

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

1972 – a few women’s groups faucet Sissy to operate as being a nominee that is vice-presidential 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 is she and she alone whom certainly represents what exactly is various concerning the 1972 convention, ” stated activist Gloria Steinem at the 1972 Democratic National Convention. “In us, her supporters, the thing is if your wanting to, a coalition of females, black colored individuals, Spanish speaking people and young adults whom help her. Make history understand that this is a various meeting. Vote for Sissy Farenthold for Vice President associated with 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 Noble resident (The 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 system in the believed that women’s colleges have to come together to coach and prepare ladies for general general general public leadership.

“To me personally, the quest for general general public workplace could be the corollary to complete citizenship, ” said Sissy whenever expected by a reporter if a lady might be selected as being a vice presidential prospect. “Until you’re in a position to pursue that without the 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 gone back to Houston to train legislation and is east meet east legit show 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 advisory board associated with the Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice of UT Law. She will continue to provide her vocals and help to peoples legal rights efforts all over the world plus in Houston.

“Well there certainly was a transformation. Associated with the part of females, ” said Sissy. “there was a comprehension I think 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 within 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 work on their state, nationwide, and worldwide amounts.

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

If you’d like to celebrate or help offer the legacy of Sissy’s relentless quest for social justice, the Rapoport Center and Rothko Chapel co-sponsor an annual lecture show inside her honor. You will find more info right here.

Copyright 2020 by KPRC Click2Houston – All legal rights reserved.

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

She’s your pet dog mother whom enjoys eating and traveling her method through brand brand brand new towns and countries.

Katie Meyers could be the Executive Producer of KPRC 2’s Houston lifetime, 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.

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