Ann Willis

Ann Willis was such a skilled debater in high school that she won a debate scholarship to Baylor University.After earning her degree, she went on to do graduate work in education at the University of Texas, but in the early 1950s, opportunities for women were few.

Ann married David Richards and raised four children.
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In 1971, Sarah Weddington asked Ann to help her run for the Texas legislature.
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Ann was the mastermind behind a mass-mailing campaign that helped elect Sarah.
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Afterwards, Ann went to work as Sarah's administrative assistant and was instrumental in launching the Texas Women's History Project and The Women's History Museum in Dallas.In 1975, Ann decided to run for office herself and defeated a three-term incumbent to become county commissioner.

Six years later, she ran for state treasurer.The campaign turned personal when her opponents made her history of alcoholism an issue, even though Ann was already in recovery.Despite the attack, Ann won the office -- becoming the first woman to hold a Texas state office in 50 years -- and was reelected in 1986.

Ann rose to national prominence in 1988 when she gave the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention and treated viewers all over America to a taste of her wit and down-home humor.

In 1990, Ann was elected governor of Texas.She appointed more women, African Americans, and Hispanics to government positions than any of her predecessors, and her activist agenda included education, prison, and environmental reforms.

Ann lost her gubernatorial reelection bid to George W. Bush (the current president of the United States), and she now travels extensively and speaks on women's issues.Ann will celebrate her 68th birthday on September 1.