Sarah Weddington

Sarah Weddington

Full Name: Sarah Weddington
Other surnames: Ragle,
Date of birth: February 5, 1945
Date of death: December 26, 2021

Terms of Service top

Chamber District Dates of Service Legislatures Party City/County Note Counties in District
H 37-B Jan 11, 1977 - Sep 1, 1977 65th (1) (2) (3) (4)   Democrat Austin / Travis   Travis
H 37-2 Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 11, 1977 64th   Democrat Austin / Travis   Travis
H 37-2 Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975 63rd   Democrat Austin / Travis   Travis

(1) Proclamations, 9/14/1977 and 11/15/1977, ordering a special election in House District 37B on 11/8/1977, and second special election on 12/10/1977, to serve out the unexpired term of the Honorable Sarah Weddington. Governor Dolph Briscoe. November 15, 1977 September 14, 1977
(2) Mary Jane Bode, in special election 12/10/1977, sworn 12/21/1977, succeeded Sarah R. Weddington, resigned 9/1/1977. First session was 65th 2nd Called Session. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004, 2005.
(3) Weddington resignation letter dated 9/2/1977, effective as of midnight, 9/1/1977. Texas House of Representatives, Chief Clerk's Office.
(4) Special election 11/8/1977, runoff 12/10/1977. Texas Secretary of State - Election Dates Including Special Elections, 1966-2001.

Terms of Service top

House District 37-B
Jan 11, 1977 - Sep 1, 1977
Legislatures: 65th (1) (2) (3) (4)  
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Austin / Travis
Counties in district: Travis
House District 37-2
Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 11, 1977
Legislatures: 64th  
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Austin / Travis
Counties in district: Travis
House District 37-2
Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975
Legislatures: 63rd  
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Austin / Travis
Counties in district: Travis

(1) Proclamations, 9/14/1977 and 11/15/1977, ordering a special election in House District 37B on 11/8/1977, and second special election on 12/10/1977, to serve out the unexpired term of the Honorable Sarah Weddington. Governor Dolph Briscoe. November 15, 1977 September 14, 1977
(2) Mary Jane Bode, in special election 12/10/1977, sworn 12/21/1977, succeeded Sarah R. Weddington, resigned 9/1/1977. First session was 65th 2nd Called Session. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004, 2005.
(3) Weddington resignation letter dated 9/2/1977, effective as of midnight, 9/1/1977. Texas House of Representatives, Chief Clerk's Office.
(4) Special election 11/8/1977, runoff 12/10/1977. Texas Secretary of State - Election Dates Including Special Elections, 1966-2001.

Biographical Information top

Selected newspaper articles

Resolutions and Journal entries

Biographical Sketches

  • Photo and biographical sketch, Women Before the Courts and Roe v. Wade, pp. 122-125. Austin Lawyers: A Legacy of Leadership and Service, 2005.
  • Photo and biographical sketch, Sarah Ragle Weddington, pp. 162-165. First woman from Austin and Travis County elected to the Texas House of Representatives. Capitol Women: Texas Female Legislators, 1923-1999, 2000.
  • Oral history interview in LRL collection, 976.4 H449G 2021. Growing Up in the Lone Star State: Notable Texans Remember Their Childhoods, 2021.
  • Oral history interviews available in Oral History Collection, University of North Texas.
  • Book in LRL collection, 618.88 W413. A Question of Choice, 1993.
  • Photo and biographical sketch, "Texas Government Insider," 10/24/2008. Strategic Partnerships, Inc., 2008.
  • Weddington, Sarah Ragle. Texas State Cemetery.
  • Book in LRL collection, 301.412 T313W. Texas Women in Politics, 1977.
  • About Sarah Weddington. Includes Summary Bio, Early Years, Attorney Years, Campaign for Public Office, Legislative Years, General Counsel Years, White House Years, and Current Activities. Weddington Center.

Other Resources

Texas Monthly's Best and Worst Legislators

  • Named one of 'The Best'. Best and Worst Legislators 1975.
  • Named 'Missing in Action'. Best and Worst Legislators 1977.

Photographs

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

Committee Information top

65th R.S. - 1977
Elections  
State Affairs  
State Affairs Subcommittee on Coastal Zone Management  
State Affairs Subcommittee on Resolutions  
State Affairs Subcommittee on State Institutions (Chair) 
State Affairs Subcommittee on State Lands and Buildings  
State Affairs Subcommittee on Utilities Legislation (Chair) 
64th R.S. - 1975
Board of Managers  
Criminal Jurisprudence  
Elections  
Functions of the Judiciary, Select  
Impeachment, Select  
Joint City/Legislative  
Judicial Qualifications Commission Study, Special  
63rd R.S. - 1973
Appropriations  
Appropriations Subcommittee on State Aircraft Pooling  
Appropriations Subcommittee on State Employees (Chair) 
Citizens' Conference on State Legislatures, Steering, Special (Operations of the House)  
Criminal Jurisprudence  
Insurance  
Reorganization and Modernization of Public Education (Committee of 24), Interim (Vice Chair) 

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