Farenthold, Frances "Sissy" (1926–)

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Farenthold, Frances "Sissy" (1926–)

American lawyer and college president. Name variations: Frances Tarlton Farenthold; Sissy Farenthold. Born Frances Tarlton, Oct 2, 1926, in Corpus Christi, Texas; dau. of Benjamin Dudley and Catherine (Bluntzer) Tarlton; Vassar College, AB, 1946; University of Texas, JD, 1959; Hood College, LLD, 1973; m. George Edward Farenthold, Oct 6, 1950; children: Dudley, George, Emilie, James and Vincent.

Champion of human rights, admitted to Texas bar (1949); served 2 terms in Texas House of Representatives (1968–72), representing Nueces and Kleberg counties; was a Democratic candidate for governor (1972) and the 1st woman to be nominated as a candidate for vice president of the US (1972); was president of Wells College (1976–80), the college's 1st woman president since its founding in 1868; taught at Texas Southern University; served as chair of the National Women's Political Caucus.