According to Texas legend and lore, Emily Morgan, the original A"Yellow Rose of Texas," was a 20-year-old, golden-skinned slave whose role in the Texas fight for independence from Mexico has made her a treasured heroine memorialized across the nation in song. Emily Morgan was a member of the household of Colonel James Morgan who was captured by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at the town of New Washington (later called Morgan's Point). Loyal to the Texas Army, Miss Morgan sent word of Santa Anna's location to General Sam Houston's troop. Her courageous act led to the capture of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, and to independence for the new Republic of Texas. The story was passed down through many generations, but not until the 1956 publication of "William Bollaert's Texas" a diary of Colonel Morgan's English friend, WIlliam Bollaert, did Texas truly acknowledge Miss Morgan's vital contribution to Texas.

The administration of Governor Allan Shivers(1949-1957) created the "Yellow Rose" Award to honor Emily Morgan's important role in the battle for our Texas' independence. This award, given only through the Governor's Office, recognizes outstanding Texas women for their significant contributions to Texas.