U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Passes Away at 74
Bollywood Fever: Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, a prominent advocate for women’s rights and social justice, has passed away at the age of 74. Jackson Lee, who was instrumental in federal efforts to combat domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, succumbed to pancreatic cancer, as confirmed by her chief of staff, Lillie Conley, on Friday night.
Jackson Lee, who represented her Houston-based district since 1995, had previously battled breast cancer before announcing her pancreatic cancer diagnosis on June 2. In her statement at the time, she expressed faith and determination to face the challenging journey ahead.
Elected to the Houston district once represented by Barbara Jordan, Jackson Lee quickly made her mark on the House Judiciary Committee in 1995. Known for her fierce advocacy for women and minorities, she became a leading voice for House Democrats on issues ranging from policing reform to reparations for descendants of enslaved people. She notably led the first major rewrite of the Violence Against Women Act in nearly a decade, which included protections for Native American, transgender, and immigrant women.
In 2021, Jackson Lee was among the lawmakers who championed the effort to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday, marking the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom.
Born in Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Yale and earned her law degree from the University of Virginia. Before her congressional career, she served as a judge in Houston and was elected to the Houston City Council in 1989. An advocate for gay rights and an early opponent of the Iraq War in 2003, Jackson Lee consistently won reelection to Congress, often with more than two-thirds of the vote.
In 2023, Jackson Lee briefly considered a bid to become Houston’s first female Black mayor but was defeated in a runoff. She then secured the Democratic nomination for the 2024 general election.
Despite her political success, Jackson Lee faced controversy, including a lawsuit in 2019 from a former employee alleging mishandling of a sexual assault complaint. During her mayoral campaign, she also expressed regret following the release of an unverified audio recording purportedly of her berating staff members.
Jackson Lee’s legacy as a dedicated public servant and advocate for social justice will be remembered by many. She is survived by her family, friends, and the countless lives she impacted through her tireless work in Congress.
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