Sep 14
I used to work for Ann Richards. Barbara Chapman hired me to be Ann’s “personal aide” in 1994, immediately after Ann lost the Governor’s race. The three of us moved into a very small office at 98 San Jacinto. For two years I drove her around, conducted (really poor) research on miscellaneous projects she’d stick me on and tended to everything from her house to her mother. I was perhaps the last of a series of guys who had much more glamorous roles than I did. Chris. James. John. Ann referred to the guys who served her in this capacity as (somethinig like) “higher education for young white males who have graduated from college.” And, boy, was it an education.
I’m grateful for my experience with her. She was a total hard ass. Getting bitched out by Ann was no pleasant experience but I always appreciated it. Every time she would come back to me or call me and tell me what I had done wrong and how I could do it better in the future. In this respect, she never lost her qualities as a teacher.
Here are three funny experiences I had with her:
#1. She was on the phone with someone important. I was standing in the doorway with Suzanna Ceballos and I kept trying to get her attention because I thought the call was important. She finally turned around, squinted her eyes, put the phone on her shoulder (didn’t press the hold button!) and said, “Lawrence, if you stuck a broom up my ass I could sweep the floor, too. But I can’t take the damn call right now.”
#2. My highschool girfriend, Jenna Repa, had a painting made of her for me. For some reason I had had it my trunk for a long time. It was just one of those things you can’t get rid of. Ann kept seeing it because I would pick her up at the airport or take her around town. Well, once, again at the airport, I opened my trunk with her by my side and was about to lift ber bag into the trunk and she saw this painting of Jenna. It was huge. A big painting of her smiling face. And it was a bad painting. She picked it up and said, “Now, this is bullshit. Take me to Kentucky Fried over by Manor.” I was totally perplexed. But, being young and really dumb, I did just as she said. We got to Kentucky Fried and she asked that I pull around back. When we got there she got out of the car and dumped Jenna in the dumpster!
#3. Life lesson from AWR. I think I was at her house, waiting for her to get ready so we could go some place. Except for having knocked on the door, we had no exchange and I had said nothing. Out of the blue she said this: “Lawrence, you need to like yourself more than you like anyone. And that’s the same for everyone. We all need to get ready to spend a lot of time being alone with ourselves because you spend most of your life alone. And if you don’t like yourself and get comfortable with yourself, you’re going to have an awful life.”
She did a lot for me. And the people around her did a lot for me, in direct and indirect ways. Pat Cole. Billy Ramsey. David Miller. Dave Talbot. Mary Beth Rogers. Erin Mayton. Jody McKergow. John Donisi. Joy Anderson.
I sent her a note about three or four months ago and said that there was no doubt in my mind that she would make it through her latest ailments. That’s what you think of Ann Richards. To borrow somewhat from Barbara Jordan, her strength and determination were total. And it’s in this respect that I thought she would always be around.
The trackback URL is here.
And it is in that respect she always will be around.
I know you must miss her. Our hearts go out to all who were close to her and to her family. She was one hell of a broad.
Thanks for your post, Lawrence. As a participant of Girls’ State during her service as Governor, I have always felt that she made a tremendous difference in the lives of young women in Texas, including mine. She obviously made a difference in your life as well, and your post just serves as a reminder that in the true spirit of strong, charismatic leaders, she touched all who came into contact with her whether with a kind word, a display of Texas wisdom, or a much-needed kick in the pants. She will be greatly missed.
What a sweet remembrance of a great Texan. I’ve read numerous articles and reflections today, but a personal note like our post is very special.
She was the original “one tough grandma.”
Fantastic post, friend. It’s so obvious how much you love her, and it’s a great testament to Ann that her influence helped turn you into the amazing person that you are. Thanks for writing this. Great tribute.
Good post Lawrence…These are fond memories for those of us who are soon becoming the “old school” of the capitol. This is how we will remember the legends of our past experiences. Also, I miss that Suzanna Ceballos…she had a wonderful laugh.
http://www.mcleodfortexas.com
A few months ago I was at an event and asked a friend of hers how her treatment was going. I was told that Ann, Dolph Briscoe, and Molly Ivins had managed to get themselves into a shared room at MD Anderson. I asked how that was working out and was told there was more bullshit and funny stories told in that room than in any other location in Texas before or since. I’d love to have been a fly on the wall. I’m gonna miss her.
http://coyotemercury.com/blog1/2006/09/14/so-long-governor-ann/
[…] More tributes at: Capitol Annex (plus a good round up), Firedoglake, In The Pink Texas (and another one), and Burnt Orange Report. […]
LC:
Hughes, Mathis and Hatch?
I like hearing stories like these when a person who was such a significant figure passes away. I know not all the stories about Ann Richards are glowing (as I’ve learned from some people I work with today), but it’s the positive ones that get told at times like this, which is appropriate.
I only met Gov. Richards once, but I won’t ever forget it. She wandered into the student’s lounge of the LBJ School (where I was a grad student) one day right around the time of the start of the Iraq War in 2003. I’m not sure what brought her there, but she appeared to have just shown up because she wanted to have a heart-felt, intellectual discussion with whichever students and professors happened to be hanging around that afternoon. It was wild to be sitting across the room from her, engaging her in discussion and hearing her very well-reasoned arguments why going into Iraq at that time would be a huge mistake. It was a very trying, difficult, and frankly depressing time for those who were against the war. Even though I felt pretty confident in my own opposition, I felt better about my position after hearing Gov. Richards make a compassionate, intelligent argument for peace. But, agree or disagree with her, I always thought it was pretty cool that she just showed up to engage us lowly masters students in a coversation at that pivitol and difficult time for out country. Ann Richards was an impressive woman, and I miss her.
#9.
hughes. mathis. donisi. though i did forget about hatch. my bad.
Thanks for sharing.
A Real Texan, that Ann.
Real.
really wonderful stories lawrence, today i re-watched a lot of the film footage we shot with her during the 2002 campaign and it’s amazing how the camera just loves her, how she could feel larger-than-life and also just someone anyone felt they could approach and talk to, all at the same time, you can’t take your eyes off her, she’s fascinating, sometimes pissed, able to be instantly hilarious, and man, did folks on the street in austin love her
LC - Because of Ann, women all over the Capitol dream of having their own “bag boys” carry their purses/briefcases someday. It sure was a lovely sight.
Re: 9. NOITALL
“Hatch” should never again appear in the listing of the names of Hughes, Mathis & Donisi.
I just watched the live stream of the Richards celebration. It was beautiful, and touching, and funny, especially Lily’s remarks. God bless Ann, and God bless her family. We’ll miss you, Governor.