Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas, died yesterday at the age of 73. Her passing is the sad end to an era of rough and tumble, gutsy women, who cast aside adversity, discrimination, and other obstacles to become better than anyone thought they could be. She told it like it was. She fought until the end. She is an inspiration to all of us to never give up, to take what life hands us and turn it into something positive, to rise to the occasion, and to question and prod and work to improve life for as many others as is possible, and then some.

You were an amazing inspiration to me, Ann Richards. Your death brings me sadness but also
spurs me to pack more into the time I have left to make this a better world.

One of my favorite Ann Richard's quips: "Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels."

Photo depicts Ann Richards celebrating her 60th birthday by doing something she had always wanted to do - ride a Harley

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive