'One of the greatest Texans of all time': Fort Bend County judge memorializes former Texas Gov. Ann Richards

Sept. 1 marked the 88th birthday of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards who died of cancer on Sept. 13, 2006 at the age of 72.

According to The Texas Politics Project, Richards, a Democrat, was born as Dorothy Ann Willis on Sept. 1, 1933 in the Panhandle town of Lakeview. A former teacher educated at Baylor and Texas, she was elected to office of Texas governor in 1990 and served from 1991 to 1995.

"Happy birthday, Ann Richards. One of the greatest Texans of all time," Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George wrote in an Sept 1. Twitter post. "She was wonderful, smart, funny and larger than life. Sorely missed."

Richards was only the second woman to hold the office of Texas governor, according to ABC 13 News. The first was Miriam "Ma" Ferguson who served as Texas governor from 1925 to 1927 and 1933 through 1935.

Her administration focused on reforming the state prison system, education, vehicle insurance requirements and school finance measures. Under her leadership, a state lottery was approved, a substance abuse program was introduced in Texas state prisons and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was passed.

During her time in office, Richards appointed an unprecedented number of women and minorities to important administrative positions.

Richards was the last Democrat elected to Texas's highest office and was succeeded by future U.S. Pres. George W. Bush, a Republican.

Following her defeat, Richards continued her career in Texas politics on the fundraising circuit for liberal groups and causes and continued to advocate for women's health issues.

Before holding office as Texas governor, Richards also elected to serve as Travis County commissioner in 1976, and in 1982 she was elected to the position of state treasurer, a position she would hold for eight years.

In 1988, she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention.