Born on September 1, 1933, in Lakeview, Texas, Dorothy Ann Willis (Ann Richards) was the only child of Cecil and Iona Willis. The family moved to and settled in Waco, Texas, and in 1946 Ann entered Waco High School where she earned a reputation as a skilled orator and member of the debate team. She subsequently enrolled at Baylor University in Waco on a debate scholarship and married her high school sweetheart, David Richards, in 1953. Upon graduation in 1954 the couple moved to Austin, where David attended the University of Texas School of Law and Ann taught government at Fullmore Junior High. They later moved to Dallas, became active in local liberal politics, and had four children: Cecile, Dan, Clark, and Ellen.
The Richards family returned to Austin in 1969, where David became a successful labor and civil rights attorney. Ann became increasingly involved in local politics and managed the campaign of Wilhelmina Delco, who became the first African American to represent Austin in the Texas Legislature. Ann served as Sarah Weddington's campaign manager during a run for the Texas Legislature and also worked on Gonzalo Barrientos' campaign for the Texas House. Finally, in 1976, Richards herself sought public office and was elected the first female Travis County (metropolitan Austin) Commissioner. Moving up to the state government level, she won the Texas Treasurer's office in 1982, again breaking ground as the first woman ever to hold the position of Treasurer in Texas, as well as being the first female to win a Texas statewide office in 50 years.
Richards gained national prominence in 1988 with her delivery of the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. In 1990 she ran for the Texas governorship, winning in a Democratic runoff against Jim Mattox and then defeating Republican Clayton Williams in the general election. As governor, Richards appointed unprecedented numbers of women and minorities to state posts. She also advocated public school reform, prison reform, and substance abuse initiatives. Richards sought to streamline the state budget through state government audits and also worked to attract business and manufacturing to Texas. In a contentious campaign for re-election in 1994, Richards was defeated by Republican George W. Bush. From 1995 to 2001 she was retained as a Senior Advisor at the law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand. Since 2001 Richards has worked for Public Strategies, Inc., a public relations and marketing firm specializing in public awareness campaigns.
Portions of this collection are restricted.
All official records from Richards' term as governor and treasurer are open for research unless otherwise specified in the finding aid. Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act, a staff member must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code Chapter 552). The researcher may contact the repository for more information. See series descriptions in the gubernatorial and treasury records for specific restrictions due to exceptions to public disclosure in the Public Information Act [formerly Open Records Act]. (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.)
Portions of this collection are stored remotely; advance notice is required for retrieval; contact repository for retrieval.
Ann W. Richards Papers, 1933-2000, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
All official records from Richards' term as governor are open for research unless otherwise specified in the finding aid. Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act, a staff member must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code Chapter 552). The researcher may contact the repository for more information. See series descriptions in the gubernatorial and treasury records for specific restrictions due to exceptions to public disclosure in the Public Information Act [formerly Open Records Act]. (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.)
RESTRICTION: All official records from Richards' term as treasurer are open for research unless otherwise specified in the finding aid. Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act, a staff member must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code Chapter 552). The researcher may contact the repository for more information. See series descriptions in the gubernatorial and treasury records for specific restrictions due to exceptions to public disclosure in the Public Information Act [formerly Open Records Act]. (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.)
RESTRICTION:All Travis County Commissioner files are closed for research. Patrons must obtain written permission from Ann Richards to view this material.
RESTRICTION: All personal material is closed for research, including portions of the artifacts, books, photographs, and audio/visual collections. Material in this series may be viewed only after first obtaining written permission from Ann Richards. Any permission given by Ms. Richards must also clearly outline which sections of the Personal Papers may be released to the individual making the request.
RESTRICTION: All campaign material is restricted to researchers. Papers in this series may be viewed only after first obtaining written permission from Ann Richards. Any permission given by Ms. Richards must also clearly outline which sections of the Campaign Papers may be released to the individual making the request. Administrative files in the gubernatorial campaign series contain resumes of potential and actual employees of the Ann Richards Campaign. Copies may be obtained only after consultation with and the approval of the Reading Room staff.
RESTRICTION: Portions of this material are closed for research. Material in this series may be viewed only after first obtaining written permission from Ann Richards. Any permission given by Ms. Richards must also clearly outline which sections of the material may be released to the individual making the request.
Ann Richards served as Governor of Texas from January 15, 1991 to January 17, 1995. During her term in office, a state lottery was approved, the North American Free Trade Agreement was passed, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Texas, and the prison system doubled in size. Records in this series include correspondence, staff files, press releases, reports, speeches, appointment files, and schedules created during Richards' term as governor from 1991-1995. Ann Richards also served as Travis County Commissioner from 1977-1983, and Texas State Treasurer from 1983-1991. Records from these offices can be found immediately following the Gubernatorial series.
All official records from Richards' term as governor and treasurer are open for research unless otherwise specified in the finding aid. Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act, a staff member must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code Chapter 552). The researcher may contact the repository for more information. See series descriptions in the gubernatorial and treasury records for specific restrictions due to exceptions to public disclosure in the Public Information Act [formerly Open Records Act]. (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.)
Records are correspondence, memoranda, reports, lists, press releases, clippings, guides, court records, organization charts, audit plans, policy statements, minutes, agenda, financial records, printed material, and a videotape dating from 1986, 1989-1995 (bulk 1993-1994). These are the files of John Fainter, who served as Governor Richards' Chief of Staff from 1993 to 1995. Included in the Fainter files are some materials from his predecessors. Fainter replaced Paul Williams in January 1993. Williams had replaced Mary Beth Rogers as chief of staff in 1992. Subjects include criminal justice, prison overcrowding and expansion, education, the Edwards Aquifer, the Superconducting Supercollider, legislation, litigation, state agencies including the Bond Review Board and the Public Finance Authority, and offices within the Governor's Office, such as the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities and the Crime Victim Clearinghouse. Fainter's files are divided between subject files and correspondence. Subject files are in alphabetical order. Correspondence is in numerical order, which is chronological by date logged in the Governor's Office computer system.
[Scheduling notes written inside folder were copied]
Records are correspondence, memos, clippings, notes, legislative records, printed material, articles, lists, press releases, reports, invitations, and charts, dating from 1973, 1979, 1985, 1988-1994. These are the files of Carl Richie, one of Governor Ann Richards' deputy chiefs of staff. Richie was responsible for working with the Texas National Guard, the Division of Emergency Management, and the transition of functions to the Texas Ethics Commission. He also worked on minority issues, including historically underutilized businesses; discrimination suits, and historically black colleges. Some records from the Joint Select Committee on Historically Underutilized Businesses are included. Texas National Guard records cover reduction in force, racial discrimination complaints, and an investigation of drug smuggling. Division of Emergency Management records relate to disaster preparedness and aid to victims of floods, tornadoes, and other disasters. Materials relating to the Alamo property and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas are also among Richie's files. These include some records of the Alamo Plaza Study Committee. Some files are grouped by topic, others are arranged somewhat alphabetically.
Records are correspondence, forms, memos, clippings, questions, photographs, audiocassettes, and videotapes, dating from 1993-1994. These are the files of Joy Anderson, one of Governor Richards' deputy chiefs of staff. Anderson was responsible for coordinating the Capital for a Day program, which brought state government to the people. The governor, statewide elected officials, and major state agency heads visited cities around Texas to hear from citizens about their concerns, events in their cities, and how state government could help. During the day, capital offices were open to give citizens a chance to meet agency representatives. In the evening, a town hall meeting was held to give citizens the opportunity to ask questions of government officials. Cities serving as Capital for a Day included Carthage, Paris, Clear Lake, Abilene, Kingsville, Temple, Bryan, Beaumont, Denison (Grayson County), Harlingen (Rio Grande Valley), and Wichita Falls. A few general files on the Capital for a Day program are mixed in with files for individual cities. Records are arranged chronologically, then by city. City files include town hall question cards, letterhead, press coverage, surveys, participant lists, name tag lists, travel information, schedules, contacts information, briefing books, maps, and follow-up correspondence.
Records are memos, correspondence, Xeroxes of photographs, brochures, a blueline, clippings, agenda, tables, recommendations, vitas, lists, proposals, and biographical sketches, dating from 1991-1995. These are the files of Bill Ramsey, who served as Governor Richards' executive assistant from 1992-1995. Ramsey replaced Paul Williams as the governor's executive assistant. Subjects include appointments, renovation of the Governors Office in the Capitol, criminal justice, and the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. Parts of the files are arranged alphabetically by subject, other files are arranged by material type.
Records are correspondence, lists and newsletters dating from 1990-1995. These are the files of Barbara Chapman, who served as special assistant to Governor Richards's chiefs of staff. Subjects covered include Governor's Office policies and procedures, Wagner-Peyser funds, and appointments. Arrangement is somewhat alphabetical.
Records are correspondence, lists, biographical sketches, and proclamations, dating from 1991-1995. Krystal Duncan, an administrative aide to Governor Ann Richards, created these files. Duncan was responsible for logging in and disposing of gifts, and dealing with burial requests and office furnishings. Records are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Records are correspondence, resumes, memos, notes, fax cover letters, and a few photographs, clippings, videotapes, speeches, questionnaires, and printed material. Files date from 1992-1995 (bulk 1993-1994) and contain recommendations from Governor Richards to the White House and Congress for federal appointees who were from Texas or who were friends or acquaintances. Other correspondents include nominees, White House staff, U.S. Congressmen, and others thanking Richards for recommendations or asking support for nominees. Recommendations were made while the Clinton-Gore transition team was filling positions and later as vacancies opened. Barbara Chapman, who was special assistant to the governor's chief of staff, created these files. Arrangement is alphabetical by name of nominee.