Miriam Ferguson American female politician, member of the Democratic Party Date of Birth: 13.06.1875 Country: USA

1. Miriam "Ma" Ferguson: The First Lady of Texas
2. First Lady of Texas
3. Political Career
4. First Governorship
5. Defeat and Return
6. Second Governorship and Retirement
7. Death and Legacy
8. Media Portrayals

Miriam "Ma" Ferguson: The First Lady of Texas

Miriam Amanda Wallace was born on June 13, 1875, in Bell County, Texas. She was the eldest of three sisters in a family of six children. Miriam attended college at Salado College and Baylor Female College. On December 31, 1899, at the age of 24, she married lawyer James Ferguson. They had two daughters, Ouida Wallace and Ruby Dorrace.

First Lady of Texas

In 1914, James Ferguson was elected Governor of Texas, making Miriam the First Lady of the state. She focused on domestic affairs and gardening as her primary hobbies. In 1916, James Ferguson was re-elected, but he was impeached and removed from office the following year.

Political Career

After her husband's impeachment, Miriam Ferguson embarked on a political career. For seven years, she fought alongside her husband to have his election ban overturned. When the Texas Supreme Court lifted the ban in 1924, Miriam declared her candidacy for Governor, with James serving as her advisor. They campaigned under the slogan "Two Governors for the Price of One."

First Governorship

Running as a Democrat, Miriam won the 1924 gubernatorial election and was inaugurated on January 20, 1925. Her two-year term saw no significant economic progress. She passed legislation against the Ku Klux Klan, but her administration faced accusations of granting excessive pardons and questionable highway contracts awarded by James Ferguson.

Defeat and Return

Miriam Ferguson lost her re-election bid in 1926 and again in 1930. However, she was victorious in the 1932 election, despite incumbent Governor Ross Sterling's failed attempt to overturn the results in court. Miriam "Ma" Ferguson returned as Governor on January 17, 1933.

Second Governorship and Retirement

Her second term was marked by the Great Depression. She opted not to seek re-election. In 1940, at the age of 65, she made an unsuccessful run for Governor once more.

Death and Legacy

James Ferguson passed away on September 21, 1944. Miriam Ferguson lived in Austin until her death from congestive heart failure on June 25, 1961. She is remembered as the first woman in Texas to hold the office of Governor and the second woman in US history to serve as a state governor.

Media Portrayals

In the 2019 crime drama "The Highwaymen," Miriam "Ma" Ferguson is portrayed by actress Kathy Bates.