City of El Paso honors former Texas Gov. Ann Richards with 66 banners in Downtown
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The city of El Paso is hosting a new public art project that honors former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.
In late October, the Ann Richards Legacy Project announced the installation of 66 red, white and blue banners to honor the iconic 45th governor of Texas and mark the 30th anniversary of her gubernatorial inauguration.
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The banners feature 12 different designs with images and notable quotes from Richards, including the one from her breakthrough 1988 keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention: “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, she just did it backwards and in high heels.”
The public arts project involves the City of El Paso and a host committee led by El Paso businesswoman Deborah Kastrin, according to a news release from project officials.
“I am very proud to lead this effort, not only because Ann was a dear friend and mentor, but also because as governor, she never forgot El Paso," Kastrin, who served as Richards’ appointee to lead the Texas Department of Commerce, said in a news release. "She used her amazing spirit to bring new businesses and good jobs to our state and region."
The exhibit can be viewed along double display street poles in Downtown El Paso. The display will remain up until the beginning of 2022.
“I am thrilled that these banners are prominently displayed in El Paso," Mayor Oscar Leeser said in a news release. “Governor Richards ensured that El Paso was represented at the state level more than any other official before her, and I especially admired her commitment to open government and transparency. She took her job very seriously. She was tough, funny, and a great governor of Texas. This legacy project is a wonderful way for new generations to learn about her.”
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The Downtown El Paso Ann Banners also include other quotes by Richards, who was known for her wicked and self-deprecating sense of humor.
Life isn’t fair, but government must be.
I’d like them to remember me by saying, ‘She opened government to everyone.’
Always look ahead, never look back.
I get a lot of cracks about my hair, mostly from men who don’t have any.
Sobriety has freed me to deal with failure and never give up.
Cherish your friends and family as if your life depended on it, because it does.
Teaching is the hardest work I have ever done, including being Governor.
I have a real soft spot in my heart for librarians and for people who care for books.
If you think taking care of yourself is selfish, change your mind.
You can put lipstick on a pig and call it Monique, but it is still a pig.
Richards, a mother of four and grandmother of eight, was twice elected Travis County Commissioner, and twice elected Texas State Treasurer before being elected the 45th governor of Texas.
While in office, Richards appointed women, people of color, Texans with disabilities and LGBTQ community members to many Texas boards and commissions.
She is recognized for attracting numerous new businesses to Texas, credited with resolving crises in Texas public schools and instituting ethics reform in state government and led Texas prison reform, including establishing a substance-use program within the Texas prison system.
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Richards, who died in 2006, mentored and appointed El Pasoans to Texas boards and commissions include Kastrin as the executive director of the Department of Commerce, Alan Kahn as chair of the Texas Department of Commerce, Ramiro Guzman to the General Services Commission, Charlie Villa to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Bob Geyer to the Texas Department of Human Services Board.
"Governor Richards is an inspiration to all women everywhere for her headstrong attitude and ability to care for all persons," El Paso District 2 city Rep. Alexsandra Annello said in a news release. "Her investment and attention to El Paso has continued to have an impact on this region and El Paso is grateful. A big thank you to everyone involved.”
Private contributions are being raised locally to fund the project through the Ann Richards Legacy Project, an Austin-based nonprofit which launched the banners concept with the Downtown Austin Alliance earlier this year along Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin.
The same banners are on display in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. When the banners come down, the organization hopes to sell them and use the proceeds to help build a permanent tribute to Richards.
“The Ann Banners serve as a powerful and elegant way to honor the Governor’s legacy and a way for her words to live on,” Margaret Justus, founder of the Ann Richards Legacy Project, said. “Our hope is that young people will look up, notice the banners and be inspired by Ann’s courage to lead.”
Anthony Jackson may be reached at ADJackson@elpasotimes.com and @TonyAnjackson on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: City of El Paso honors former Texas Gov. Ann Richards with 66 banners
