Pioneering Women

Welcome to Pioneering Women!

Texas women learned early that hard work and perseverance were required to forge a rewarding life in the diverse landscape and culture of a young Texas. That ethic lives on in contemporary high-achieving Texas women who are pioneers in their own right.

As leaders and policy makers, Texas women in particular have significantly impacted our society on local, state, national and international levels.

These pioneers embody Texas tenacity and determination. Every single one overcame the foundational barrier of being female in a male-dominated society. Even more faced additional challenges, from being born into poverty to confronting racism.
 

"Barbara Bush called literacy “the most important issue we have.” Laura echoed her in 2013, “literacy lifts women out of poverty and opens doors of opportunity."

Barbara and Laura Bush

First Ladies

Former First Ladies Barbara Bush and her daughter-in-law Laura both promoted literacy during their tenures in the White House.

"It just makes sense to me because if you’re working for liberation, you can’t do it by gender. It’s a liberation for all."

Martha P. Cotera

Librarian, Writer, Activist

Cotera founded Mujeres Por La Raza, the women’s caucus within the political party La Raza Unida.

"I never want to be elected because I'm a woman. I never want to be excluded because I’m a woman. I went into it that way, saying I can do the best job."

Kay Granger

Congresswoman

Congresswoman Granger was the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

"When I was first running for office I said I wanted to make things better for our sons and open for our daughters."

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Congresswoman

Former Senator Hutchison was the first, and so far the only, woman U.S. Senator to represent Texas.

The exhibit currently features:

• Barbara Bush and Laura Bush—Former First Ladies Barbara Bush and her daughter-in-law Laura both promoted literacy during their tenures in the White House. Barbara Bush called literacy “the most important issue we have,” and Laura echoed her in 2013 saying, “…literacy lifts women out of poverty and opens doors of opportunity.” (barbarabush.org; bushcenter.org)
• Martha P. Cotera—A librarian, writer and activist, Cotera founded Mujeres Por La Raza, the women’s caucus within the political party La Raza Unida. . “When my husband and I became founders of La Raza Unida, I started working on a women’s caucus within the party. It just makes sense to me because if you’re working for liberation, you can’t do it by gender. It’s a liberation for all.” (artsci.tamu.edu)
• Kay Granger—Congresswoman Granger was the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the House of Representatives. “I never want to be elected because I'm a woman,” Granger said. “I never want to be excluded because I’m a woman. I went into it that way, saying I can do the best job. I have the best experience. I had the broadest experience.” (kaygranger.house.gov)
• Kay Bailey Hutchison—Former Senator Hutchison was the first, and so far the only, woman U.S. Senator to represent Texas. “When I was first running for office I said I wanted to make things better for our sons and open for our daughters,” she said. “I leave the Senate knowing that January will see the greatest number of female senators in our nation’s history.” (Texasmonthly.com – Jan. 2013)
• Jovita Idar—Journalist and activist Idar wrote for the newspaper La Crónica and became the first president of La Liga Feminil Mexicaista (the league of Mexican women). “She was known for saying, ‘when you educate a woman, you educate a family.’” (womenshistory.org)
• Lady Bird Johnson—Johnson led the nation in beautification projects during her time as First Lady. “Lady Bird Johnson's legacy was to legitimize environmental issues as a national priority. The attitudes and policies she advanced have shaped the conservation and preservation policies of the environmental movement since then.” (Rita G. Koman, ladybirdjohnson.org)
• Barbara Jordan—The first African American congresswoman from Texas, Jordan is known for her role in the impeachment hearings of President Nixon. “We, the people,” said Jordan. “It is a very eloquent beginning. But when the document was completed on the seventeenth of September 1787, I was not included in that ‘We, the people.’ I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation and court decision I have finally been included in ‘We, the people.’” (history.com/news/)
• Jane Nelson—Texas Secretary of State and former Texas State Senator Nelson was the longest serving chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in Texas History. “My vision when we originally discussed creating a center focused on business, politics and public policy was a place where women of all backgrounds could aspire and be inspired to become leaders unafraid of change and ready to take on the challenges to make the world a better place.” (twu.edu/institute-womens-leadership/)
• Sandra Day O’Connor—Justice O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. “I think the important thing about my appointment is not that I will decide cases as a woman, but that I am a woman who will get to decide cases. (https://www.huffpost.com)
• Ann Richards—Richards was one of only two women, so far, to serve as Texas governor. “I have very strong feelings about how you lead your life. You always look ahead, you never look back.” (nytimes.com)
• Lulu B. Madison White—White was a civil rights activist and a leader in the Houston National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “White was also in the vanguard of the movement to get equal salaries for Black and White teachers. When local Blacks reported cases of discrimination in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, Lulu White was the one who responded.” (https://www.tshaonline.org/)
• Martha Wong—Wong was the first Asian American woman to be elected to Houston’s City Council and later served in the Texas House of Representatives. “We said, ‘Well, we should run an Asian, rather than asking people to be concerned about Asian problems and concerns in the city,’” Wong says now. “I filed the last day you could file, and that’s how I got into politics.” (https://www.houstoniamag.com)

Rising Star

Do you have what it takes to be a star?

With the Rising Star interactive display you can browse excerpts of speeches by six of the Pioneering Women, deliver those excerpts or make your own statement at the podium. Feel the power and bold commitment of their words and add your own.

Texas Voter Information

Voting is a right for which many women fought fiercely.

Learn who your elected officials are and get Texas voting information.

With the touch of your finger you can use our display to gather information about registering to vote in Texas, updating your voter information, and what to do if you have moved and who your representatives are in the White House and in Congress. Learn when elections are and how to exercise your right to vote!

Visit the Sue S. Bancroft Women’s Leadership Hall today or contact us for a guided tour.

We are part of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership in the Old Main Administration Building on the Texas Woman’s University campus. The Hall is on the entry level of the building, and accessible entryways are available on either end of the building.

Open 10 AM–4 PM Tuesday–Friday and by special appointment.
Closed on designated university holidays.

1210 Old Main Circle
Denton, Texas 76204
940-898-4573
leadership@twu.edu

Limited parking is available in spots designated for the gallery just south of Old Main Circle on Old Main Circle Drive.

Page last updated 12:50 PM, March 18, 2024