born Feb. 21, 1936, Houston, Texas, U.S.
died Jan. 17, 1996, Austin, Texas
U.S. lawyer and politician.
She earned a law degree from Boston University in 1959, served in the Texas state senate (196672), and then won election to the U.S. House of Representatives (197379), becoming the first African American congresswoman to be elected from the Deep South. She became a national figure in 1974, when she participated in televised hearings of the House Judiciary Committee on the possible impeachment of Pres. Richard Nixon . Her keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention confirmed her reputation as a commanding and articulate public speaker. She retired from the House to teach at the University of Texas.