A yellow rose with a thorn



The world lost one of the very few truly wonderful politicians last week in the death of Ann Richards, former governor of Texas. Richards, known for her razor-sharp wit, is considered the first woman to win the title of governor without filling the shoes of a politician husband (a la Lurleen Wallace). Richards was no career politician. She got into the arena relatively late in life after teaching and raising four children with her husband, David.

In her term as governor, Richards boosted the economy of her state, was successful in prison and education reform programs. After she was sadly beaten by George W. Bush in the 1994 election, she remained strong in her role as political activist taking on causes such as poverty, gay rights, women's rights and education.

In a society where women are judged more harshly than men, especially in politics, Richards held her own in the good ole boys club of Texas politics. The only force that could have stopped her was the cancer that took her life all too early. Richards is an example to all Americans and stands as an example of a person in power who used government to help those in need and to bring about positive social change. In a big state full of big personalities, egos and money, Richards will stand out for what truly matters in this life -- heart and soul.

God bless Ann Richards.



Some of Richards most memorable quotes:

"I've always said that in politics, your enemies can't hurt you, but your friends will kill you."

"If you give us the chance, we can perform. After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels."

"Let me tell you that I am the only child of a very rough-talking father. So don't be embarrassed about your language. I've either heard it or I can top it."

(On ineffective government programs) "You can put lipstick and earrings on a hog and call it Monique, but it's still a pig.''

"I have a real soft spot in my heart for librarians and people who care about books."

"When the Pentagon makes crooks rich and doesn't make America strong, it's a bum deal."

"There is a lot more to this life than just the struggle to make money."

-

(PHOTO: Ann Richards "whoops it up" as she sits on a Harley Davidson motorcycle outside her office in the State Capitol in a May 15, 1992 photo. Former Gov. Ann Richards, the witty and flamboyant Democrat who went from homemaker to national political celebrity, died after a battle with cancer, a family spokeswoman said. She was 73. AP Photo/ David Breslauer)




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