US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee passes away at 74 after battle with cancer

“A fierce champion of the people, she was affectionately and simply known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years,” her family said in a statement.

Who was Sheila Jackson Lee?

Jackson Lee was born on January 12, 1950, in Queens, New York. She was a trailblazer in her academic and political career, becoming one of the first women to graduate from Yale University. Before her congressional tenure, she served as a judge in the Houston Municipal Courts and a councilwoman in the Houston City Council.

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In 1994, she made history by defeating a Democratic incumbent in the primary election and becoming the representative for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, a seat she has held ever since.

She disclosed last month that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

She had previously battled breast cancer, receiving a diagnosis in 2011 and announcing the following year that she was cancer-free.

“A local, national, and international humanitarian, she was acknowledged worldwide for her courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children,” her office said.

Before her tenure in Congress, Jackson Lee served as a judge and was elected to an at-large Houston City Council seat in 1989.

Last year, she ran an unsuccessful campaign for Houston mayor, losing by a wide margin to then-state Senator John Whitmire, also a Democrat, before announcing her re-election bid for Congress.

“Her legislative victories impacted millions, from establishing the Juneteenth Federal Holiday to reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act,” her office stated.

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“However, she impacted us most as our beloved wife, sister, mother, and Bebe (grandmother),” the statement continued.

“She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy. God bless you Congresswoman and God bless the United States of America.”