Gladys Porter High School, Brownsville's second public high school, opened its doors in 1974.
It was built to alleviate the overcrowded conditions which had existed at Brownsville High School for three years. Even before the construction began, the school's colors and mascot were chosen at a Board Meeting on October 2, 1973. The school was named for Gladys Sams Porter, the daughter of Earl C. Sams who was the first president of the J. C. Penney retail chain. Ms. Porter was a well-known Brownsville civic leader and philanthropist. Tony Ortiz was selected as Porter's first principal.