No one at the time of founding would guess that the runner up town of Houston would supersede the notable town of Harrisburg. However, such was the fate of Harrisburg; a promising town with enormous potential became just another acquisition of the younger, more accomplished neighboring city of Houston.
Archive | Politics
The Long Road Ahead: Desegregation in HISD and Milby High School
Brown v. Board of Education paved the way towards integration in public schools nationwide and set a crucial precedent in the fight to end segregation. The process of implementing the Brown decision varied from state to state, city to city, and district to district, each with their own story. In some areas, the story of […]
Gordon Quan: A Paragon of Diversity
Houstonian Gordon Quan, who moved to the United States from China as a child in 1951, as worked to better his community through teaching and practicing law throughout his career. As an immigration attorney, he assists people wanting to emigrate to the United States negotiate the difficulties they face. Gordon Quan’s inspiring story illustrates the […]
Two Activists Who Shaped the East End
Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado, left, spoke for fifteen hours to demonstrate her opposition to voting restrictions that would make voting more difficult for people of color and people with disabilities. At right, Maria Jimenez was exposed to labor organizing early in her life. She continued to fight for fair labor policies and joined the […]
Preserving History: The Importance of Independence Heights
I remember the first time I saw the sign that read “Independence Heights: Historic Houston Community.” It piqued my curiosity, and that interest stayed with me. As the years went by, townhomes that reigned on the other side of the 610 Loop began creeping into the historic neighborhood. As the landscape changed and the old […]
For the City
Houston History celebrates its twentieth anniversary with its fiftieth issue in the fall of 2023. The issue also marks the culmination of the three-year grant project: 100 Years of Stories – Documenting a Century at the University of Houston highlighting the way the university, its programs, and individuals have impacted the community.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Mayor Kathy Whitmire
Kathy Whitmire brought many firsts to Houston during her rapid rise in local politics. A native Houstonian, she spent her childhood in Huntsville and Houston, attending Berry Elementary School and Marshall Junior High in Northeast Houston, before graduating from San Jacinto High School. Acknowledging her keen interest in politics in her youth, Whitmire’s path towards […]
A Pioneer of Local Diversity: University of Houston’s Muslim Student Association
If you visit the University of Houston’s Student Center South on a Monday, you might run into a group of students running the “Dawah Dollar Mondays” table event. The young men ask passing students one question about Islam, and if the participant answers correctly, they win cash. The University of Houston Muslim Student Association (UHMSA) […]
Cougars Fostering Inclusion in the U.S. Military
By Christine Le with Jacob LoewGeneral Barrye Price, LTC Melissa Comiskey, and 2LT Katelyn Kubosh have each played a role in opening doors to women in the U.S. Military. Photos courtesy of the U.S. Army.Serving in the military requires a noble spirit along with a strong passion for service and our nation. Enlistment, training, service, […]
Nancy Sims and Katy Caldwell Talk on Political Junkies and Poodle Hair
By Max Ward Katy Caldwell, left, and Nancy Sims, right, celebrate Nancy’s thirtieth birthday together in 1989. The pair met while working on a political campaign in 1984. All photos courtesy of Nancy Sims and Katy Caldwell unless otherwise noted. Katy Caldwell and Nancy Sims both grew up in Houston in the 1960s. One was […]