Myra McDaniel facts for kids

Myra McDaniel (born December 13, 1932 – died February 25, 2010) was a very important person in Texas history. She was the first African American to become the Secretary of State of Texas. This was a big achievement! She helped shape the government in Texas during her time.

Early Life and Education

Myra McDaniel was born on December 13, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Eva and Toronto Atwell. She went to the Philadelphia School for Girls. In 1954, she earned her first college degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania. Later, in 1975, she earned a law degree, called a Juris Doctor (J.D.), from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. In 1955, she married Dr. Reuben R. McDaniel, who was a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Myra McDaniel passed away on February 25, 2010.

Her Amazing Career

After finishing her first degree in 1954, Myra McDaniel worked at Baldwin Wallace College and Indiana University. She then went to law school at the University of Texas. After becoming a lawyer, she worked for the Texas Attorney General's office. This office helps the state with legal matters. She became the chief of the taxation division, which deals with tax laws.

Later, she started her own law practice. But then, the Governor of Texas at the time, Mark White, asked her to be his General Counsel. This meant she was the main lawyer for the governor. In 1984, she was chosen to be the Secretary of State of Texas. This made her the first African American person to hold this important job. It also meant she was the highest-ranking African American person to serve in the Texas government at that time. In 1987, she returned to private law practice. At her law firm, she became the first African American woman to lead a major law firm as a managing partner.

Honors and Awards

In 2017, Myra McDaniel was honored with the Virgil C. Lott medal by the University of Texas School of Law.