Barbara Jordan was the first African American elected to the Texas senate and a leader in the Civil Rights movement. From an early age, she was recognized for her educational excellence, and her gift of language and debate. Her presence in the House of Representatives in 1966 was not well received, but Jordan quickly won her colleagues over with her intelligence and commitment to her constituents. Her later years were spent on educational work and in 1994 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton. This book details her life and career achievements while focusing on the Civil Rights Movement. History-specific terms, timelines, primary source, photographs, quotes and excerpts round out this book about this important and worldly individual.