Charlye Farris Historical Marker Unveiled

An unveiling ceremony took place this morning at the Wichita County Courhouse.

Charlye Farris is known for making many "firsts" throughout her lifetime and today those "firsts" were honored as well as the person Farris was.

Honoring Charyle Farris, people gathered at the Wichita County Courthouse to see the unveiling of her historical marker.

Farris was the first African-American woman admitted to the Texas State Bar, and the first woman to practice law in Wichita County.

And though those "firsts" are reason enough to honor her, officials say there's more.

"When you have someone whose character and whose conduct and whose life is a representative of service that is a secondary reason they deserve a historical marker," said Rob Jones, The former chairman of the Texas State Bar Standing Committee on History and Preservation.

Listening to stories from Arthur Williams, who worked as Farris' secretary for 13 years, people learned just who Farris was.

"She was the first person to brag on somebody else and the last person to brag on herself," said Williams.

And it was that giving spirit which led Farris to stand for justice, but it wasn't just for African Americans.

"Then it became poor people, and then it became people in general. and if she agreed to be your lawyer she was going to represent you and do the best she could," said Williams.

Fghting to make a difference in her community where she can now be remembered for years to come.

Dr. Kenneth Hendrickson, junior, who served as chairman of MSU's history department for 36 years, wrote a biography of Farris called "She Opened Many Doors," and following the unveiling of farris' historical marker many people got his autograph at a book signing at the courthouse.