Molly Ivins

Unabashedly outspoken liberal writer Molly Ivins worked as a journalist for over 40 years before succumbing to a near decade-long battle with breast cancer in early 2007 at the age of 62.

1. "All anyone needs to enjoy the state legislature is a strong stomach and a complete insensitivity to the needs of the people. As long as you don’t think about what that peculiar body should be doing and what it actually is doing to the quality of life in Texas, then it’s all marvelous fun."
2. "So keep fightin' for freedom and justice, beloveds, but don't you forget to have fun doin' it. Lord, let your laughter ring forth. Be outrageous, ridicule the fraidy-cats, rejoice in all the oddities that freedom can produce. And when you get through kickin' ass and celebratin' the sheer joy of a good fight, be sure to tell those who come after how much fun it was."

• August 30, 1944: Born in Monterey, California

• 1970: Writer, Texas Observer

• 1976: Leaves Observer for the New York Times

• 2000: Publication of "Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush"

• 2001: Independant columnist for Creators Syndicate

• January 31, 2007: Dies of breast cancer