I named my daughter after her.

The great journalist, humorist, feminist and all around fabulous Texan,
Molly Ivins
1944 - 2007

From AlterNet

Syndicated political columnist Molly Ivins died of breast cancer Wednesday evening at her home in Austin. She was 62 years old, and had much, much more to give this world. She remained cheerful despite Texas politics. She emphasized the more hilarious aspects of both state and national government, and consequently never had to write fiction. She said, "Good thing we've still got politics -- finest form of free entertainment ever invented."

Although short, Molly's life was writ large. She was as eloquent a speaker and teacher as she was a writer, and her quips will last at least as long as Will Rogers'. She dubbed George W. Bush "Shrub" and Texas Governor Rick Perry "Good Hair."

Molly always said in her official résumé that the two honors she valued the most were (1) when the Minneapolis Police Department named their mascot pig after her (she was covering the police beat at the time); and (2) when she was banned from speaking on the Texas A&M University campus at least once during her years as co-editor of The Texas Observer (1970-76). However, she said with great sincerity that she would be proudest of all to die sober, and she did.

She worked as a reporter for The New York Times (1976-82) in New York and Albany and later as Rocky Mountain Bureau Chief covering nine mountain states by herself. After working for the staid Times where she was heavily edited, Molly cut loose and became a columnist for the Dallas Times Herald.

When the Herald folded, she signed on as a columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In 2001, she became syndicated, eventually appearing in 400 newspapers. She never lost her love for The Texas Observer or her conviction that a free society relies on public-interest journalism. She found that brand of journalism the most fun. In recent years she shamelessly used her national and international contacts to raise funds for the Observer, which has always survived on a shoestring. More than $400,000 was contributed to the feisty little journal at a roast honoring Molly in Austin October 8. Molly's enduring message is, "Raise more hell."

Her full list of books and awards will be abbreviated here. In addition to compilations of her brilliant, hilarious liberal columns, she wrote with Lou Dubose, Shrub: The Short But Happy Political Life of George W. Bush (Random House 2000) and Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America (Random House 2003). She was working on a Random House book documenting the Bush administration's assault on the Bill of Rights when she died.

Molly, being practical, used many of her most prestigious awards as trivets while serving exquisite French dishes at her dinner parties. Her awards include the William Allen White Award from the University of Kansas, the Eugene V. Debs award in the field of journalism, many awards for advocacy of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the David Nyhan Prize from the Shorenstein Center at the Kennedy School at Harvard.

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My beloved daughter was named for two distinguished American feminists:  Molly Yard, who was, at the time of my girl's birth, President of the National Organization for Women; and Molly Ivins, whose last column was published on January 11, 2007 - Stand Up Against the Surge:

We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell.

"Raise hell" indeed.  May my own Molly - and all of us - do as much, and more.

Thank you, Molly Ivins.  Say howdy to Ann Richards when you make your glorious entrance at the big Texan barbecue in the sky. 

Comments

[Kris]

I just sent you an email as I read about Molly's passing on CNN and low and behold, you had already posted.

She was a damn fine woman and your Molly is sure to follow in her footsteps somehow.

She was right. WE are the deciders.

[GraceD]

Thanks for remembering, dollin. I'm right sad about this. Molly was my kind of liberal - sassy, hardass, beer guzzling (before she went into AA) and compassionate.

Now we must carry on with the good fight. And guzzle some beer, if we must.

xoxoxo

[Marilyn]

I was so sad to hear about her passing. She was one smart, feisty broad...and she never let up on W. She'll be sorely missed. I can only hope that she and Ann will be up there watching what happens in the next couple of years...and having a good ol' laugh when W. is finally shown the door.

[Lin]

First thing I thought when I heard that Molly had passed away was that Ann had to be happy for the company.

To lose both of them within four months is just such a loss. What energy, wisdom, humor and courage. Weren't we lucky they were generous with their words?

[cynthia]

Saint Molly of Austin, ora pro nobis!

She is my political muse and the patron saint of righteous ass-kicking snark.

[Mamacita]

I've long been a Molly Ivins fan. "Raise Hell," indeed! She will be greatly missed.

I can't comment on your blog at home, Grace dear. For some reason, Typepad hates me.

And there is so much I want to say to you. . . .

Thank heaven for tests, and me goofing off a little while they're taking one.

Please don't turn me in.

[jenijen]

I was so sad to hear this news. When Sophie was just a tiny little thing I brought her with me to hear Molly speak in Santa Cruz. She was not old enough to talk, but judging by Soph's ability to raise hell, *something* sunk in!

[Glennia]

Grace,

I didn't know that Molly Ivins had died, and am so sad to hear this. I once had the privilege of hearing a panel discussion with her, Ann Richards, and Liz Carpenter at UT. They were all so funny, smart, and snarky. They were there to introduce Hillary Clinton (she was first lady at the time), but I'm not sure Hillary got a word in edgewise. These three are like the holy trinity of Texas badass women to me. I'm crying now.

[Carmi]

The world has lost one of its best.

How inspiring to know that she lives on in your daughter.

[carlarey]

With Anne and Molly and your Auntie Lillie gone, the rest of us will just have to up the sass. I think we can handle it, we trained at the feet of Masters.

[Daisy]

I'm not a Texan, but I sure adored and admired Molly and Anne. It's up to all of us still here on Earth to make sure their legacy lives on. Raise hell, mamas!

[Mom101]

What a true loss. RIP Molly. Your daughter has quite the legacy there.

[Elisson]

Molly was a True Original - a tough Texas broad in the best sense of the word. I will miss her intelligence and sharp wit.

[Donna]

I had no idea that's who your Molly was named after. I, too, was saddened to hear of Ivins' passing. Her wit, intelligence and humanity will definitely be missed.

[ozma]

I am very sad about this. I was surprised by that since that doesn't usually happen to me when famous people I don't know die. But we needed her! There is no replacing Molly Ivins.

Love the story of Molly's name.

[Jim]

A brilliant, original, courageous voice in American politics was silenced with her passing. She had more balls than any of the existing male punditry combined (well, if you take her fellow Texans Jim Hightower and Bill Moyers out of the mix).

Damn, I'll miss her...

[mac pc]

I am very sad about this. I was surprised by that since that doesn't usually happen to me when famous people I don't know die.