Explore the Sites and Stories of Remarkable Texas Women

In honor of Women's History Month, we're celebrating the inspiring stories of remarkable Texas women who shaped our state's rich history, and the people and places that continue to inspire and empower generations to come.

Pictured: Emma Tenayuca on the steps of San Antonio City Hall during a public demonstration.

Credit: The Light Collection/UTSA Libraries.

Welcome to Texas, a state bursting with remarkable people and places that have shaped our history and heritage. In honor of Women's History Month, Texas Time Travel is celebrating the inspiring stories of remarkable Texas women who shaped our state's rich history.

Among the countless inspirational Texas stories, it is often the tales of extraordinary women that go untold. From well-known figures to unsung heroes, Texas has been home to trailblazers who left indelible marks on our collective consciousness. Join us as we uncover the stories that celebrate these amazing women, whose legacies continue to empower us today and for generations to come. These women have left their mark in politics, civil rights, entertainment, sports, and the pioneering spirit of Texas, but this is only the beginning. With countless more incredible stories and places to explore consider this a mere taste of what Texas has to offer. Let this be your invitation to hit the road and delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Texas history.

National W.A.S.P. WWII Museum

WASP, known as the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots, introduced something the country had never seen before – women flying military planes. In early 1943 as World War II raged on, multiple plans to utilize female aviators to help perform non-combat pilot duties consolidated at Avenger Field in Sweetwater. Visit the National W.A.S.P. WWII Museum in Sweetwater to learn more about these brave women.

Pictured: A statue at the W.A.S.P. Museum in Sweetwater

Credit: How Big Is Texas

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West. The museum fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance these women inspire. See for yourself at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth.

Pictured: Cowgirl statue outside the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Credit: BFS Man from Webster, TX, USA

Juanita J. Craft

Juanita J. Craft organized 185 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) branches and dozens of youth councils across Texas. She also helped lead efforts to desegregate the University of Texas School of Law, North Texas State University (now known as the University of North Texas), and the State Fair of Texas. Learn more about Ms. Craft and her incredible civil rights efforts at the Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House in Dallas.

Pictured: Juanita J. Craft, civil rights leader

Credit: J Craft

La Mujer Obrera/Café Mayapan

Since the 1920s, El Paso’s garment district employed thousands of female workers, many of them Mexican immigrants who labored as seamstresses, but had no voice in the workplace. In 1972 nearly 4,000 garment workers—mostly Hispanic women—refused to work until given the right to representation by a union. This social and cultural shift led to the 1981 founding of La Mujer Obrera, a community center for Hispanic women.

An onsite marketplace known as Mercado Mayapan helps Mexican American women become entrepreneurs by selling their handmade goods, crafts, and dishes. Learn more about the textile industry at La Mujer Obrera/Café Mayapan in El Paso.

Pictured: An exhibit at La Mujer Obrera/Cafe Mayapan in El Paso

Credit: Texas Mountain Trail Region

Miriam "Ma" Ferguson

Miriam Ferguson, born June 13, 1875, in Bell County, Texas, emerged as a significant figure in American politics. In 1925, she made history by becoming the first female governor of Texas. Ferguson's political journey began as she stepped into the spotlight as a stand-in for her husband, James Edward (Jim) Ferguson, who faced legal troubles and impeachment as governor in 1917. This turn of events prompted Miriam Ferguson to enter the political arena herself.

Nicknamed "Ma" during her campaign, Ferguson sought to reclaim the governor's mansion with the slogan "Two Governors for the Price of One," openly acknowledging her role in paving the way for her husband's return to power.

Her platform emphasized anti-Ku Klux Klan sentiments and a commitment to improved state finances. Her victory in November 1924 paved the way for her historic inauguration in January 1925, marking a milestone as Texas's first female governor. Miriam Ferguson's tenure as governor underscores her resilience and significance as a trailblazer in American politics. Learn more about Ma Ferguson at the Bell County Museum in Belton.

Pictured: Miriam "Ma" Ferguson, first female Governor of Texas

Credit: Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Janis Joplin

Born and raised in Port Arthur, Janis Joplin was a pioneering figure in the 1960s music scene. She was renowned for her soulful voice, raw emotion, and uninhibited stage presence. As a key figure in the counterculture movement, she challenged societal expectations with her bold, unapologetic persona. Joplin's distinctive vocal style blended blues, rock, and soul influencing generations of musicians to come. Her performances left an indelible mark on the music landscape, paving the way for women in rock and cementing her legacy as one of the greatest voices in rock history. Joplin's tragic death at the age of 27 immortalized her as a symbol of the turbulent era, but her music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

To learn more about her fascinating life and career, visit the music wing at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Beaumont to see their Janis Joplin exhibits.

Pictured: A portrait of Janis Joplin from 1970

Credit: Public Domain

“After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.”

Governor Ann Richards

Ann Richards

Ann Richards, hailing from Lacy Lakeview, profoundly impacted American politics as the 45th governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995. A notable Democrat, she began her state political career as Texas State Treasurer and garnered national acclaim for her 1988 Democratic National Convention keynote address. Recognized for her outspoken feminism and sharp wit, she often delivered memorable one-liners that captivated the media. She served as the second female governor of Texas after Miriam "Ma" Ferguson.

After graduating from Baylor University, Richards taught before entering politics. Winning a seat on the Travis County Commissioners' Court in 1976, she later served as Texas State Treasurer in 1983. Her influence expanded with her speeches at the 1984 and 1988 Democratic National Conventions.

In 1990, Richards achieved a historic win in the Texas gubernatorial election. Despite losing in 1994 to George W. Bush, she remained active until she died in 2006. Her pioneering spirit and steadfast commitment to public service define her legacy. Explore her gubernatorial portrait at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

Pictured: Ann Richards, Former Governor of Texas in October 1992

Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel

Bessie Coleman

n 1922, aviator Bessie Coleman became the first African American woman to stage a public flight in America. Her high-flying skills always wowed her audience. Coleman was born in Atlanta, although she grew up in Waxahachie. The Atlanta Historical Museum tells her story through photographs and artifacts, including a scale model of her Curtiss Jenny bi-wing plane.

Pictured: Bessie Coleman, the first African American to stage a public flight in America

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias

Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (1911-1956) was voted the World’s Greatest Woman Athlete of the first half of the twentieth century by the Associated Press (AP). Babe excelled at basketball, track, golf, baseball, tennis, swimming, diving, boxing, volleyball, handball, bowling, billiards, skating, and cycling during her lifetime. Learn about her incredible story in her hometown of Beaumont at the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Museum & Visitors Center.

Pictured: Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, World’s Greatest Woman Athlete

Credit: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Barbara Jordan

Barbara Jordan, from Houston, was an American lawyer, educator, and politician. Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979, she became the first African American congresswoman from the South.

Jordan's political journey began with her effective campaigning for Democrats during the 1960 presidential election. Despite unsuccessful bids for the Texas House of Representatives in 1962 and 1964, she secured a historic win in 1966, becoming the first African American and woman elected to the Texas Senate since 1883.

Her success in Texas politics stemmed from her adept understanding and adherence to political processes. Jordan's legislative focus on environmental issues, antidiscrimination clauses, and urban legislation garnered national attention earning her an invitation to the White House from President Lyndon Johnson.

Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972, Jordan continued her advocacy for minorities, the poor, and disenfranchised communities, leaving a lasting impact on American politics. She was interred in the Texas State Cemetery near Stephen F. Austin's grave and was the first African American to receive this honor.

Pictured: Barbara Jordan delivering the keynote at the Democratic National Convention, 1976

Credit: Warren K. Leffler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Emma Tenayuca

On March 8, 1937, Workers Alliance leader Emma Tenayuca, led a parade of 2,000 protestors to the steps of City Hall to demand more Works Progress Administration jobs for her community. Tenayuca is known for organizing San Antonio's famous Pecan Shellers' Strike of 1938 when 12,000 pecan shellers—mostly Hispanic women—walked out of their jobs to protest poor working conditions and low pay. See where it happened at the San Antonio City Hall.