this is a really sad hideline:
"Former Texas Governor Ann Richards Dies"

she was one of my role models as a young student of politics in my political-coming-of-age-years in the early 90's. her election to the governorship in 1990 was one of the very first elections i really paid attention to and understood what was going on (my first vote was actually in 1988, but i didn't really know what i was doing then, nor knew what was happening around me). but in 1990 i remember watching her win the election after a series of terrible attacks by this nut cowboy who wouldn't even shake her hand during debates. she gave me hope that regular people could win elections. she was just terrific and everything i love about southern women. in 1994, she would have won re-election had it not been a terrible year for democrats nationally and had it not been for karl rove and george w. bush running against her. had it been a more normal year, she would have won because she was so well-liked generally by all. but then, it was a republican year and texas was beginning its strong republican tilt by then. regardless, she will always be fondly remembered by all and will continue to be in my thoughts about how regular folk and strong women can make it to the top even in a world that doesn't allow it.