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About Wessendorff Middle School

Jane Johnson Wessendorff

"I never dreamed I'd find myself serving...as a member of the state school board...(but) a woman's point of view is certainly needed in education."



Wessendorff Middle School was established in 1997. The school is named after Jane Johnson Wessendorff. Mrs. Wessendorff was a leader in Richmond, Fort Bend and Texas. 

Jane Johnson Wessendorff made history in Texas as the only woman on the 21-member Texas Board of Education when she was elected in 1950. However, that is only one of the many contributions that she made to Richmond, Fort Bend and Texas community life.

Born in 1889, Jane Johnson moved to Richmond at the age of four. She married Joe Wessendorff in 1911 and began a career of service that stretched well beyond her family. 

Mrs. Wessendorff was active in the Richmond PTA which eventually led her to the presidency of the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers in 1938. During these busy years, she answered the call to service willingly, admitting,"...when you start one thing, it just keeps branching out, and people want you to do more." By 1950, Mrs. Wessendorff was serving on the Ft. Bend County Health Committee, the Library Board, and the Board of Directors for the Ft. Bend National Bank. She then was elected to fill the seat from the 9th Congressional District on the State School Board. "I never dreamed I'd find myself serving...as a member of the state school board...(but) a woman's point of view is certainly needed in education."

In 1960 at convocation ceremonies opening the 116th school year at Mary Hardin-Baylor College, Mrs. Wessendorff was presented with an honorary Ph.D. She was recognized for her friendship to the college and the numerous contributions she had made to education. Service at the national level was noted as well for she had twice represented Texas at the White House Conference on children and youth. Mrs. Jane Johnson Wessendorff earned permanent recognition in her commitment to community.  

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