Molly Ivins, February 2007

Photo by: Carolyn Mary Bauman/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

Mary "Molly" Tyler Ivins August 30, 1945-January 31, 2007 Molly Ivins was a long time favorite of the Wild Wolf Women of the Web. Quotes from her articles showed up often, because Molly had a way of saying what many of us were thinking! This is the first time we have elected anyone posthumously to be an Honorary Wild Woman, but Molly was a trail-blazer, and we think she would appreciate being the first to be so recognized by a group of women from around the world who loved her wit and her way with words. In her last column, she encouraged us all to reclaim our country and hold our politicians accountable:

Molly Ivins was born in Monterrey California, and grew up in Houston, Texas. She got her B.A. from Smith College, and her Master’s from Columbia School of Journalism. Molly’s career in print journalism began with the Houston Chronicle, followed by stints at the Minneapolis Tribume, Texas Observer, New York Times, Dallas Times Herald, and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In 2001, she quit to become an independent writer, and her syndicated column appeared in up to 400 papers nationwide.

Her writing style combined a brand of folksy Texas humor and brash outspokenness. She is credited with George W. Bush’s nickname ­ the Shrub.

Molly began a private battle with breast cancer in 1999.

She received numerous awards for her journalism, but was quoted as saying that she was quite proud of having the Minneapolis police department’s mascot, a pig, named after her, and of being banned from the Texas A & M campus. She also wrote best-selling books of biting political commentary, such as:

Who Let the Dogs In?: Incredible Political Animals I Have Known (Random House, 2004) \

Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America with Lou Dubose (Random House, 2003

You Got to Dance With Them What Brung You: Politics in the Clinton Years (Random House, 1998)

Nothin' But Good Times Ahead (Random House, 1995)

Molly Ivins Can't Say That, Can She? (Random House, 1991)