Remembrances: Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 1949-2008

By Christine Cupaiuolo — August 21, 2008

With the death of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress, we’ve lost an incredible advocate for women’s reproductive rights and health care for all.

The memorial service may be held a week from Saturday, on Aug. 30, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

I was looking for a link that summed up the congresswoman’s passion and found this text and video of Jones reading the poem “And the Women Gathered” by Gloria Wade-Gayles (from Feb. 29, 2000). Here’s an excerpt:

And the world took notice

That women are warriors

(Always have been even in the beginning)

And so they gathered as women will

In the very eye of the storm

Pushing against its fury

With their own

And the world took notice

That women birth babies

And revolutions

The women gathered

Ten thousand Rosas inspired by one

You saw them.

You saw them.

You saw them.

You saw them.

The world saw them.

Below are some tributes — feel free to add your own thoughts or additional links in the comments.

NPR: U.S. Reps. James Clyburn (D-SC) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) join Farai Chideya in offering remembrances.

Pam Spaulding has reaction from officials.

Columnist Connie Schultz writes, “Our friendship was forged by her to-the-bones understanding of what it means to be a woman willing to stick your neck out for your beliefs. I so appreciated never having to explain the punch line. She’d seen it all.”

2 responses to “Remembrances: Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 1949-2008”

  1. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones fought hard to get bills passed to help all Uterine Fibroid sufferers and their families – Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2005 [H.R.3034.IH].

    I thought others may enjoy seeing her and hearing her speech – this is the video link and one with her photo.

    http://www.obgyn.net/displaytranscript.asp?page=/avtranscripts/Jones_Fibroid_Research_Act

    http://www.obgyn.net/display-av.asp?file=JonesA&wm=1

    Sincerely, Hope

    http://www.obgyn.net/fibroid-resource-center/

  2. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones
    was truly my Sister Girlfriend for years and I still miss her so much. We are members of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. North Ohio Life and Legacy Life Members Guild and we often hold many conversations concerning our SHERO. She will never ever be forgotten. She was a Sister Girlfriend to many. May God Continue to Bless her Soul.

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