From the Feminist Majority Foundation:

Aug 21, 2008 18:55

The devastating news of the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a strong feminist and dear friend of the Feminist Majority has been difficult to absorb. The Congresswoman, who has supported many of our events past, was scheduled to speak at our EqualiTEA in Denver on August 25. In Stephanie Tubbs Jones honor we are now planning a tribute at the EqualiTEA with the many women leaders and members of Congress who are planning to attend.
For those of you who will not be with us at the EqualiTEA in Denver, we are streaming the entire event, including the tribute, at our website, feministmajority.org. We have also created a place for you to write a personal remembrance of Stephanie Tubbs Jones. We will share them on our site and forward them on to her family and dedicated staff.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a strong supporter of the feminist movement, women candidates, and an inspiration for young women aspiring to political leadership positions. Tubbs Jones keynoted at the Feminist Majority Foundation's National 2008 Young Women's Leadership Conference for college activists. A student who attended the conference remembers that "she was an eloquent and powerful speaker who made me feel empowered to create change as a young woman. She was a leader and it was clear she fought incredibly hard for equality and for humanity. We dubbed her our 'shero'."
A moving tribute to the Congresswoman published by the National Organization for Women says that "We can't imagine losing your voice, your verve, your vitality, your valor. We can't imagine the years ahead, unable to work with you on our unfinished agenda, unable to sit with you and plot some new, grand effort. We can only say thank you for your spirit, your grit, your sense of urgency and dedication, your heart." At the Feminist Majority, we couldn't agree more.
Congresswoman Tubbs Jones became the first African-American woman elected to the House of Representatives from Ohio in 1998 and won reelection by large margins ever since. Prior to her service in the House of Representatives, Tubbs Jones served on the Ohio State Common Pleas bench as well as a Cleveland city Municipal Court judge. She was a leading advocate for civil rights, women's issues, children, and election reform. Together with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) she objected to the certification of the 2004 presidential election results for Ohio. Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed her to chair the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics) in 2006. She also served on the Ways and Means Committee.
The Congresswoman was an indefatigable candidate and campaigned relentlessly for women candidates. On the night before her death she spoke at a campaign event for Sharen Nuehardt, who is running for the House of Representatives from Ohio's 7th District. Tubbs Jones was not only also a very strong supporter of Hillary Clinton, but also campaigned nationwide for her.
We must remember her energy and great legacy, which inspires all of us who pursue the dream of equality and justice.

Ellie Smeal
President
Feminist Majority

P.S. Please add your remembrance of Stephanie Tubbs Jones to this site. We will forward them to her beloved family and dedicated staff.

death, feminism, politics

Previous post Next post
Up