Lessons For Today’s Careers From A Woman Who Changed History—Texas Governor Ann Richards

Once upon a time in a land far, far away from Washington, DC called Texas, a feisty, sharp-witted, take-no-prisoners political activist seems to have passed her fiery baton to the women of the 116^th Congress and the six women running for President of the United States (POTUS) in 2020.

Governor Ann Richards took the right to vote very seriously, imploring everyone, especially women, to vote. “If you don’t participate (by voting), you let other people make decisions for you.” Those are words Richards allegedly said, based on the play about her, “Ann,” at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC., adding, “Bad things happen when good people don’t vote.”

Championing other candidates—imploring women with, “We need you to run for office!”—and being a formidable fundraiser was second nature to Richards, but it took cajoling by a small army of friends, family and supporters to convince Richards to run for Texas County Commissioner herself. When she was elected Governor of Texas in 1990, the second largest state in the union, with her distinctive style and decisions, she changed history. (She lost reelection to George W. Bush in 1994.) 

As we commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote and open the book on a new chapter in American politics with the most women ever serving in Congress and running for POTUS, Richards’ story reminds us of the inner and outer battles women face in seeking career success.

These were vividly and vibrantly depicted by Jayne Atkinson as Ann Richards in the play written by Holland Taylor, directed by Kristen Van Ginhoven.  

Watching the play, I couldn’t help but see parallels to today’s world and lessons for women today in their own careers.  Here are a few:

·      Shifts in the workforce demand shifts in our careers: “Shifting from the industrial age to the technology age asks something different of the workforce.” So does today’s shift from the technology age to the digital age, and our choices need to respond accordingly. Just as Richards reinvented herself for her times, we can reinvent ourselves as needed too.

·      “Move on!”:  Richards would yell this at her adult children, staff who screwed up or candidates who lost their elections, mirroring today’s equivalent of “Get over it!”

·      Do it with gusto: Richards believed in doing everything with energy, enthusiasm, partners, preparation and determination. 

·      Focus and be present: Ann Richards was to entirely present, focused and engaged wherever she was and gave her utmost.  From a speech to schoolgirls, to thinking through whether to stay an execution or reform the welfare system, to campaigning across Texas, to planning a trip with her adult children, she was focused on the project or issue at hand.

·      Apologize: Ok, so her berating people who screwed up in her eyes was not a good strategy. She did apologize, at least with gifts, such as buying a slew of cowboy boots for her staff.  We all screw up now and then, and could all apologize more often when we do.  

·      “Bet on yourself”: Richards bet on herself even in her darkest days – when she realized through an intervention by her family and friends that she was an alcoholic and checked herself into “drunk school,” her name for rehab – or when she lost reelection. Today we would be wise to focus on ourselves, not on comparing ourselves to everyone else’s sanitized personas on social media that look so magically prosperous and beautiful.  In the play, Richards reminds us to stand with ourselves, own the space we occupy, be who we are, flaws and all, and go for it.

“You have to go out on a limb, because that’s where the fruit is.” Richards played by Atkinson closes the play with this line. Richards changed history by going out on many limbs throughout her life and career.

Each of us can too.

For more on my coverage of 100 years of women voting, the 19^th Amendment centennial, check out these Forbes blogs, videos and podcasts:

Commemorating 100 Years Of Women Voting: Watch the video of our Newseum event on the 19^th Amendment, the role of women journalists, and women voters in 2020. Also available as a  podcast.

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What Women Today Can Learn From A Heroic Suffrage Journalist

100 Years of Women Voting - Podcast interview with author Lori Harrison-Kahan on Suffrage Journalist and "Wonder Woman" inspiration, Miriam Michelson

Being Underestimated Can Be Your Leverage To Success