Ann Richards (1933-2006)

By now, you've probably heard that former Gov. Ann Richards died last night of cancer at age 73. Richards is remembered for many things: being the first woman to win the Texas governorship outright, opening government positions up to women and minorities, vetoing a bill giving Texans the right to carry concealed weapons — but she may be most remembered for her wit, which contributed to the Texas-sized persona that made her a recognizable figure across the country. The Chronicle looks at that side of Richards today, remembering, among other things, the Texas Monthly cover showing Richards astride a motorcycle:

Texas Monthly superimposed Richards' face on a model dressed in white leather, riding a white Harley-Davidson with the headline: "White Hot Mama."

[Richards' former press secretary Bill] Cryer still remembers Richards' initial reaction: "I only wish I had thighs like that woman," the governor said.

The cover came after a brief news item reported that Richards had stopped on the street one day to admire a Harley-Davidson. The Harley company heard about it and offered Richards a bike, which prompted her to learn to ride alongside Cryer (Richards accepted the bike, which she donated to the DPS' motorcycle safety training program).

There were other things, too — for example, Richards signed an official portrait displayed at an Austin restaurant she frequented, "Thanks for all the great food. Love, Meg Ryan." But one of our favorite Richards stories comes from Molly Ivins (via Off the Kuff), who recalled a time when an East Texas judge was introduced to Charles Miles, a black senior state staffer:

It took him a long minute before he reached out, barely touched Charlie's hand and said, "How you, boy?" Then he turned with great relief to pretty, blue-eyed Ann Richards and said, "And who is this lovely lady?"

Ann beamed and said, "I am Mrs. Miles."

Also from Kuff, Capitol Annex's roundup of blog reaction to Richards' death.

Photo: The University of Texas