I had the honor of talking to Frances "Sissy" Farenthold a few times as I had met her through a very good friend of hers that was a very good friend of mine. The Houston Chronicle called her, "The Lodestar for Texas Liberals", she was that and so much more. Of her many accomplishments, she was the first woman to become a congresswoman in Texas in 1968, and she also co-sponsored the Texas Equal Rights Amendment which passed in 1972.
One evening in the middle of a cocktail party, I found Sissy sitting quietly by herself, sipping a much deserved libation, probably needing a break from all of the folks swarming around her to get a few minutes of her time and amazing company, but I couldn't resist, I had to talk to her. Our conversation went like this-
Me: Hi, Sissy, I'm Ello, I'm Robert's friend.
Sissy, Well, of course I know you, how are you?
Me: I'm well, and I know you're busy, but I wanted to thank you.
Sissy smiled and patted the empty seat next to her for me to sit.
Me: My mom and dad got married and moved from Colorado to Texas in the 70's. my mom told me that when she went to the local DMV to get Texas' licenses plates for her car, the clerk informed her that she couldn't get the plates changed without her husband's name on the car title. My mom explained that she had bought the car with her own money, before she had even met my father. The car had always belonged to her. The clerk told her that it didn't matter, because in Texas, the husband owned all of the property, so she had to get my dad's name on her car title and then come back to get Texas license plates for the car she bought but no longer owned. My mother was floored, but she did as she was instructed. She told me that you, Sissy, were one of the reasons with your work in the Texas legislature, that the law in Texas of husband-ownership is no longer the law. I had no idea that was even a real thing, and it wasn't that long ago, I can't believe that was actually the law. So, I wanted to thank you for that, thank you for my basic rights that I feel I took for granted growing up in Texas. Again, I had no idea.
Sissy: (finished chewing her hor'dourve during my nervous-chatty-epilogue and smiled) Well, Ello, you are welcome. But you see, that's why we did it. We did it so you and the younger generations wouldn't have to know about that law. Ya'll having no idea about those laws and the treatment of women back then was our goal, and I'm glad it's worked out that way. We still have some bumps to smooth out, but I'm glad you told me this, and tell your mom she's more than welcome as well.
Me: (I wanted to talk to her for hours but I wanted to give her a moment of space.) Okay, well, thanks Sissy, and can I get you a refill on your drink?
Sissy: Please. Oh, and some more of those pecan bites, please.
*Sissy gave me/us equality in Texas and I have her pecan bites in New York City. Fair trade. 😀
Godspeed Sissy. Thank you so much for your bravery, brilliance, and kind heart. You passed away at 94 but never stopped in your fight for equality and justice.
Sissy Farenthold Texas Monthly
