Barbara Jordan - Congress January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1979

Barbara Jordan was the first southern black woman to serve in congress.  Here is her 1976 Democratic National Convention keynote speech. You can find the transcript here. The video omits her first 2 sentences which were "Thank you ladies and gentlemen for a very warm reception. One hundred and forty-four years ago, members of the Democratic Party first met in convention to select a Presidential candidate."  It's a great speech that resonates today just as it did in 1976. It's understatement to say she is inspirational.   I would encourage all to check out her other speeches perhaps here or maybe here.