These are the most inspiring women in Texas history

Texas is known for its BBQ, politics, and cowboys. Though BBQ and cowboys are iconic to Texas, everyone should know about the amazing women who have called the state their home. We have a rich history of bad ass women who have broken down sexist and racist barriers, trail blazed in the music industry, and have become synonymous with the word “feminist.”

Listed below are 13 names and stories of women that everyone should know.

Emma Koehler

Emma Koehler is not only the namesake of the popular Hotel Emma in San Antonio, but a badass woman in her own right. In 1914, after her husband died, Emma took over and successfully ran the Pearl Brewery during the Prohibition Era. To keep the brewery in business, Emma made the Pearl into a dry cleaning shop, auto service, and ice creamery that specialized in making “near beer.” Her entire workforce was employed throughout the duration of her leadership.

You can still get Pearl beer in Miller’s Ft. Worth, TX.

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Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to obtain a pilot license. In the United States, she faced racism and sexism in the aviation industry – no one would train her. However, she was able to gain flight training in France in 1920. Known as “Queen Bess,” Coleman became a groundbreaking inspiration for women and proved to everyone that had told her ‘no’ that she was capable of becoming a pilot.

Miriam “Ma” Ferguson

In 1925 Miriam Ferguson was THE FIRST female Governor of Texas. Known for openly opposing the Ku Klux Klan (she passed an anti-mask law that was later overturned by the courts), Prohibition, and making pardons, Ferguson would later be elected for another term in 1933.

Bonnie Parker

Did you know that Bonnie and Clyde were from Texas? Yeah, neither did I. Though Bonnie was a criminal, her story of crime sprees has inspired multiple movies and pop culture references. Love + Crime = Bonnie and Clyde.

Kay Bailey Hutchison

Kay Bailey Hutchison is a name that everyone learned in Texas History. She became the first woman to represent Texas in the United States Senate in 1933, staying in office until 2013. She’s a powerful woman in the conservative world and has been the face of Texan politics for a really long time.

Lady Bird Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson was the First Lady of the United States in the 1960s. She promoted Civil Rights and is known for improving cities and highways by planting thousands and thousands of flowers. There is a wildflower center dedicated to her name in Austin, Texas.

Barbara Jordan

Barbara Jordan was a civil rights leader and politician during the 1970s. She was elected to the Texas Senate, and the United States House of Representatives. As a queer woman, she was one of the firsts to break down the political barriers that had held back African Americans, the LGBTQ+, and women.

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was born in Port Arthur, Texas in 1943 and recorded her first song at the University of Texas in 1962. She went on to become an iconic rock and blues singer, leaving behind a musical legacy. Her music has helped to inspire and influence many popular musicians that are heard today.

Ann Richards

Ann Richards was the Texas Governor from 1991 to 1995; she was the second (and last) female Governor of Texas. Remembered for reforming the Texas prison system, advocating for women, and her iconic front-page cover, “White Hot Mama,” of Texas Monthly, Ann Richards was a spitfire, able leader of Texas.

Selena

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an influential Tejano musician and inspiration to young women. Though she has been compared to Madonna, Selena has made a name for herself. When she was murdered on March 31, 1995, Texas and the world grieved. Her memory lives on in her iconic music, Selena Day, and memories of her fans.

Wendy Davis

Known for standing up for Texas women during her 11-hour filibuster in opposition to HB-2, Wendy Davis became a household name overnight. Though she lost in the 2014 campaign to be Governor of Texas, Wendy has inspired many women and has brought attention to women’s rights.

Beyonce Knowles

I’m out that H-town – Beyonce is a goddess from Houston. Growing up in the Third Ward, Beyonce made a name for herself by becoming a member of Destiny’s Child, launching a successful solo career, and advocating about equal rights and feminism.

Becky Hammon

Though she was not born in Texas, Becky Hammon is a well-known basketball player and coach to the city of San Antonio. She was a WNBA all-star (six times), played in the 2012 Beijing Olympics, and had her jersey retired in San Antonio this past June. After her WNBA career, Becky went on to become the first woman to become a full-time assistant coach in the NBA, the first woman to coach in the NBA summer league (winning the title), and also the first woman to be a part of the NBA All-Star coaching staff. Basically, Hammon is knocking down barriers and showing everyone that a woman can prosper in a male-dominated field.