The NAACP extends sincerest sympathy to the family of Ohio U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and seeks to recognize her commitment as a pioneering elected official and honor her dedicated work in developing and promoting sound public policy in the Congress. Tubbs Jones died Wednesday evening, the result of suffering a brain aneurysm while driving in Cleveland Heights. She was 58.
Jones was the first African American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio and the first African-American woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. She was also the first African American woman to chair the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics) in the House of Representatives.
"Clearly, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones has made history in holding such powerful positions," said NAACP Washington Bureau Director Hilary O. Shelton. "She has been a consistent advocate for civil rights for all Americans and will be greatly missed."
The Congresswoman was a strong advocate for many issues: a leader in the fight against predatory lending practices, championing wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care and quality education for all. She received high marks from the NAACP in its last several federal legislative report cards for her support of a progressive civil rights agenda.
The Congresswoman attended the NAACP's 99th Annual Convention in Cincinnati last month where she served on a panel discussing election reform.
Born in Cleveland on Sept. 10, 1949, Jones graduated Case Western Reserve University in 1971 and received her law degree there three years later. She would become the first African American and first female assistant Cuyahoga County prosecutor later being appointed a Cleveland Municipal Court judge.
Congresswoman Jones was a lifelong resident of the district she served, which encompasses most of eastern Cleveland and includes parts of 22 suburbs. Jones was in her fifth term, being re-elected two years ago with 83 percent of the vote.
"As someone growing up with Congresswoman Jones as my district leader, I know first hand the impact she has had on me as a young leader and on my hometown, " said NAACP National Youth & College Division Director Stefanie Brown. "She showed us all that even as you achieve success on a national level, nothing is more important than staying true to your roots and your people. Because of her, I knew that I could achieve the highest heights because the Congresswoman didn't just break glass ceilings, she created new doorways."
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Scholarship Fund; c/o The Cleveland Foundation, 1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH 44115.
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