RIP Stephanie Tubbs Jones

I had the pleasure of watching Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones in action earlier this year. At the time, I wrote:

Acting as MC for the event was Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She was an excellent choice for this, alternating between being cheerleader and poet, something I haven’t seen in a while.

The Congresswoman died yesterday. The statement of DNC Chair Howard Dean sums up my feelings pretty well:

We are greatly saddened about the passing of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was a true American hero and inspiring leader, having spent a lifetime breaking barriers and standing up for her values.  Just last week I was honored to have Stephanie join me on the campaign trail in Ohio where, as always, her infectious energy, enthusiasm and passion uplifted the crowd.  Her voice will be greatly missed.

This is a great loss for our Party and our nation.  On behalf of the Democratic Party, we extend our thoughts and prayers to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones’ friends and family during this difficult time.

Indeed. RIP Congresswoman.

UPDATE: I have received a copy of the reading that Rep. Tubbs Jones read at the Hillary event I attended and linked above. It is below the fold.

WOMEN IN MY CIRCLE
TO THE WONDERFUL WOMEN IN MY CIRCLE

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend’s best is needed when you’re going through things with your children. Another friend’s best is needed when you’re going through things with your mother. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.

One friend will say let’s pray together, another let’s cry together, another let’s fight together,
another let’s walk away together

One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies,
another will be with you in your season of confusion, ! Another will be your clarifier, another
the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life, on whatever the occasion, on whatever the day, or where ever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself… those are your friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it’s wrapped up in several… one from 7th grade, several from high school, several from the college years, a couple from old jobs, several from church, on some days your mother, on others your sisters, and on some days it’s the one that you needed just for that day or week that you needed someone with a fresh perspective, or the one who didn’t know all your baggage, or the one who would just listen without judging… those are good best friends.

I thank my girlfriends, those who honor intimacy, those who hold trust, and those who hold me up when life is just too heavy! The special bond we share is unique.

Thanks for the words we’ve shared. The prayers we’ve sent up. The laughs, the tears, the phone calls, the emails, the shopping, the movies, the lunches, the dinners, the talking, talking, talking and the listening, listening, listening….

So whether you’ve been there 20 minutes or 20 years, I love you!

Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life to make a difference.