Barbara Charline Jordan By lucie1019 Feb 21, 1936 Barbara C. Jordan is born Period: Feb 21, 1936 to Jan 17, 1996 lifespan May 30, 1956 graduated magna cun laude Apr 28, 1959 gets law degree from Boston University Apr 30, 1960 started registering black voters for the next presidential campaign May 27, 1972 unanimously elected president pro tempore of the senate May 27, 1973 first black woman from the south to serve in congress and in the first two african americans iin the twentyeth century to serve in th e senate May 27, 1974 earned a national prominence for her public speaking May 27, 1979 published her autobiography " Barbara Jordan: a self portrait" May 27, 1983 first black state senator May 26, 1994 earned the Presidental Medal of Freedom May 27, 1994 served as chairwomen of the US Commision of Immigration Reform Jan 17, 1996 Barbara C. Jordan dies dies in Austin,Texas