Piece image

Rediscovering Barbara Jordan

From: KUT
Length: 54:01

One-hour documentary about the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the first black woman from the South to serve in the U.S. Congress. Read the full description.

1714074_small This program, orginally produced in 2006, is a one-hour documentary about the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the first black woman from the South to serve in the U.S. Congress. "Rediscovering Barbara Jordan" features interviews with many of Jordan's colleagues and contemporaries, including Ben Barnes, former Lt. Governor of Texas; Bill Clinton, former President of the United States; John Doar, Special Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate; Dan Rather, former anchor of CBS News; Bob Woodward, The Washington Post; and Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas. Born in the Fifth Ward of Houston during the days of segregation, Jordan leapt to national prominence as a freshman member of the House Judiciary Committee during the national crisis known as Watergate. At the height of television?s prime time, she delivered a speech that resonated with the whole nation. Jordan?s historic comments began with reference to slavery, and her role as presidential inquisitor. With her words, ?My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution,? it soon became apparent that President Nixon would resign. Within two weeks, he did. It's been more than 10 years since Jordan's death. In this special report, her thoughts, the events that shaped her and the deeds that assured her place in American history, are re-told through her speeches, personal interviews and recorded conversations with her. Many of her friends and contemporaries help tell her story.

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Piece Description

This program, orginally produced in 2006, is a one-hour documentary about the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, the first black woman from the South to serve in the U.S. Congress. "Rediscovering Barbara Jordan" features interviews with many of Jordan's colleagues and contemporaries, including Ben Barnes, former Lt. Governor of Texas; Bill Clinton, former President of the United States; John Doar, Special Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate; Dan Rather, former anchor of CBS News; Bob Woodward, The Washington Post; and Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas. Born in the Fifth Ward of Houston during the days of segregation, Jordan leapt to national prominence as a freshman member of the House Judiciary Committee during the national crisis known as Watergate. At the height of television?s prime time, she delivered a speech that resonated with the whole nation. Jordan?s historic comments began with reference to slavery, and her role as presidential inquisitor. With her words, ?My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution,? it soon became apparent that President Nixon would resign. Within two weeks, he did. It's been more than 10 years since Jordan's death. In this special report, her thoughts, the events that shaped her and the deeds that assured her place in American history, are re-told through her speeches, personal interviews and recorded conversations with her. Many of her friends and contemporaries help tell her story.

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Transcript Request

Hi,
I am doing a research paper on Barbara Jordan, and was wondering if I could get a transcript of your wonderful broadcast.

Broadcast History

This aired on KUT in 2006. It was posted on PRX in 2006.

Timing and Cues

Rediscovering Barbara Jordan
A Radio Documentary from KUT 90.5 Austin
Cue Sheet

Show is 59:00 total

ONE SECOND OF SILENCE PRECEDES SHOW

OPEN: 00:00 - 1:00
INCUE: ?From PRI, Public Radio International.?
OUTCUE: ?...First, This news.?

Part One 06:00-30:00
INCUE: ?Major Funding for Rediscovering Barbara Jordan...?
OUTCUE: ?...PRI, Public Radio International.?

30:00 ? 31:00 MUSIC FOR LOCAL CUTAWAY

Part Two 31:00-59:00
INCUE: ?Major Funding for Rediscovering Barbara Jordan
OUTCUE: PRI Audio Logo

Related Website

http://www.kut.org/barbarajordan