Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold

Frances Tarlton "Sissy" Farenthold, a native Texan, graduated from Vassar College and then attended the University of Texas School of Law, where she was one of only three women in a student body of 800. Farenthold has been involved in public affairs at the local, state, national, and international levels. She served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives and in 1972, became the first woman ever to have her name placed in nomination for Vice President of the United States. Over the course of her career, Farenthold has testified before four committees of the US House of Representatives on topics including campaign finance reform and the plight of migrant workers. She has also served as a human rights observer in Iraq, El Salvador, Honduras, South Korea, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union. In addition to her governmental work, Farenthold served as the first female president of Wells College, co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus, and founded the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN). She served as Chair of the Board of Houston's Rothko Chapel, and currently serves as one of its Honorary Directors. She is an emeritus trustee of the Institute for Policy Studies. Farenthold continues to lend her voice and support to human rights efforts around the world.