Awards

Distinguished International Service Award - 2001

Bloomington, Indiana

Presenter: Patrick O'Meara

About Barbara Jordan

Barbara Jordan is an American lawyer, educator, and politician. She achieved several notable firsts in her career, such as being the first African American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction, the first Southern African American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives, and one of the first two African Americans elected to the U.S. House from the former Confederacy since 1901. She was the first African-American, and the first woman, to deliver a keynote address at a Democratic National Convention. Jordan’s contributions extend beyond politics, as her legacy continues to impact generations of young women striving to hold leadership positions.

Jordan has received numerous honors and awards, including a Presidential Medal of Freedom. In recognition of her commitment to state affairs that impact the state of Indiana, Barbara Jordan was awarded the Distinguished International Service Award in 2001.