Dianne Feinstein: “Mr. President yesterday, we lost a great politicial great woman with an incredibly energy who helped to change the…”

“Mr. President yesterday, we lost a great politicial great woman with an incredibly energy who helped to change the attitude of Texas politics. Ann Richards was born in Lakeview, TX, in 1933. She died yesterday, September 13, in Austin, TX, at the age of 73. She battled cancer in the last months of her life, being diagnosed with esophageal cancer in March and undergoing chemotherapy treatments. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to her four children-- Cecile, Daniel, Clark and Ellen--who were with her when she passed away. Ann Richards was a homemaker and teacher before beginning her political career as a county commissioner in Travis county, TX, in 1976. Six years later, in 1982, she ran for State treasurer and won. She was reelected in 1986. Winning the office of Texas State treasurer made her the first woman elected statewide in nearly 50 years. Like so many female politicians of our time, running for office in a male-dominated political environment took courage and determination. But Ann didn't take on these challenges only to prove that she was a worthy candidate. She wanted to show Texas, and the Nation, that all women could succeed in the same way that men had for many years. She blazed a trail for women, in politics and in life. Two years later, in 1990, Ann Richards narrowly won the election to Governor, winning by a margin of 49 to 47 percent. Again, she fought a tough campaign battle against a male opponent.…”