September 20, 2006

Ann Richards

She was best known for her one-liner about George Herbert Walker Bush that applies to the entire blood line: "He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Ann Richards was a no-holds barred Texas woman who held her own with the Rovian packaged faux cowboys, such as George W. Bush. That is until Rove put a shiv in her back by circulating sleazy rumors and running dishonest campaign ads.

Richards had a rough-edged, raucous sense of humor and a deep commitment to the disenfranchised and needy in the Lone Star State.

As the BuzzFlash reader who nominated her noted: "I lived in South Texas, perhaps the poorest region of the United States. When Ann became governor, she promoted and pushed forward many institutions of higher learning in South Texas.

"Very poor kids, who could not afford to travel to the bigger cities in Texas to pursue higher education, were now able to attend colleges in their own communities. This may seem small, but it was transforming for thousands of poor, Hispanic students who came from communities that had been neglected for generations. She just didn't talk about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, she gave those struggling to improve themselves the bootstraps to do so.

"She is proof that a smart, tough and courageous progressive can overcome all odds and do great things, even in Texas. In these darkest of times, she is a bright example for us all."

A bright example indeed. And this week we posthumously present the BuzzFlash "Wings of Justice Award" to Ann Richards.

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Nominated by Mark Antonuccio of Las Vegas, Nevada

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