TEXAS — Wednesday is International’s Women’s Day and women from the Lone Star State have made great strides across the globe. These Texan powerhouses have completely changed and dominated the industries they are a part of.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Beyonce accepts the award for best dance/electronic music album for "Renaissance" at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)This Houston, Texas native, is arguably the most famous woman in the entertainment industry. In Feb. 2023, Beyoncé became the most-awarded artist at the 65th Grammy Awards. That’s a long way from singing in her mother’s beauty salon back in the Third Ward neighborhood of Houston. Beyoncé released her critically acclaimed and much anticipated seventh studio album, "Renaissance," in June 2022 and kicks off the world tour for the album in May 2023.
Ann Richards
Then-Texas state treasurer Ann Richards delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. (AP Image)Gov. Ann Richards, born Dorothy Ann Willis, became Texas’ first and only woman governor in 1991 and served until 1995. The Lakeview, Texas native was a school teacher before embarking on her political career. Gov. Richards is most known for commitment to education reform and appointing other women and minorities to post during her term. In 2007, the Ann Richards School for Young Women was established in Austin, Texas and caters to grades 6-12.
Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes, left, Rebecca Lobo, and Lisa Leslie, right, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalists for the United States, hold basketballs designating the new WNBA teams to which they were assigned Jan. 22, 1997. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)Basketball Hall of Famer and Brownfield, Texas native Sheryl Swoopes is a wave-maker in the sports world. Swoopes was one of the first women to sign a WNBA contract in 1997. She played at Texas Tech, where she led the Lady Raiders to the national championship her senior year and is the only Texas Tech basketball player, man or woman, to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, according to Texas Tech. Swoopes is also the first WNBA player to have received the MVP award three times.
Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad poses in the press room with the award for best featured actress in a play for "Skeleton Crew" at the 75th annual Tony Awards. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)Phylicia Rashad is a Theater Hall of Famer, Howard University graduate, beloved television mother as Clair Huxtable and a Houston, Texas native. Rashad is the holder of many awards, including a two Tony's, one for her role in "A Raisin in the Sun." In 2023, audiences can still see Rashad on the big screen as she plays Adonis Creed’s mother in the Creed films, including the latest and box office hit Creed III.
Kathy Whitmire
West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, right, extends his hand to greet Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire, left, as he arrived for a two-day visit with Texas business and civic leaders. (AP Photo/F.Smith)The first woman to be elected as not only mayor, but any office in Houston, Texas and Bayou City native Kathy Whitmire is a trailblazer for women in politics in Texas. Whitmire notes the women’s movement and her own father’s career as inspiration in the 70’s. A graduate of the University of Houston, Whitmire served as Houston’s mayor from 1982 to 1992.
Selena Quintanilla Pérez
A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for the late singer Selena Quintanilla is pictured following a ceremony in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)Often referred to as “the Queen of Tejano music," Selena’s rise to superstardom was a sight to see. Born in Lakeview, Texas, Selena began performing Tejano music around Texas at a young age. She was the first Tejano singer to win a Grammy in 1994. Her life was cut short at the hands of the ex-president of her fan club and former business manager of her boutique. Selena’s music has continued to live well past her untimely death and there is a memorial, Mirador de La Flor, in Corpus Christi, Texas, where the singer was raised.
Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion arrives at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Born in Bexar County and raised in Houston, Texas, Megan Pete a.k.a Megan Thee Stallion is arguable a household name in 2023. The female rapper made history in 2022 as being the first Black woman to grace the cover of Forbes 30 under 30. Megan brought home three Grammy awards for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for her collaboration with Beyonce on “Savage (Remix)."
