[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E545-E546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMEMORATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2004

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with other women Members of 
Congress to honor the contributions and landmark efforts of women. As 
we look back on March, Women's History Month remains an important time 
to reflect on and commend women for their lifelong efforts to our 
country. Women have been the cornerstone of this country, so it is 
difficult for me to honor just one today, but after thought and 
reflection, I've decided to honor the life's work of a mentor and long 
time role model of mine, Ms. Betty Shabazz.

[[Page E546]]

  Betty Shabazz epitomizes the strength, tenacity, confidence, 
compassion, and fidelity of a progressive Black woman. Early in my 
career, I met her on several occasions, and she gave great guidance on 
how to be proactive, detail specific and plan for the unexpected. As a 
young woman, Shabazz left Detroit to study at the Tuskegee Institute, 
the renowned historic black college in Alabama. She later went to New 
York, where she became a registered nurse.
  In New York, Shabazz was introduced to the Nation of Islam and its 
founder Elijah Muhammad. It was in 1956 that Betty X met Malcolm X, 
then a rising star in the Nation of Islam. Two years later they 
married, and within 5 years, they had four daughters. After breaking 
off from the Nation of Islam in 1964, Malcolm and Betty X adopted the 
Muslim surname Shabazz.
  In early 1965, Malcolm was gunned down while speaking at the Audubon 
Ballroom in Harlem. Betty Shabazz, pregnant with twins, was in the 
audience with their daughters when one of the greatest Civil Rights 
Leaders of our time was murdered. Betty raised their six daughters 
alone, returned to school, and in 1975 earned a doctorate in education 
from the University of Massachusetts. She went to work as an 
administrator at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn while carrying out an 
effort to inform people around the world about civil and human rights 
and racial tolerance.
  In a sudden and tragic twist of fate, the world lost a great champion 
and voice. In June of 1997, Betty Shabazz passed away at 61 from third-
degree burns that ravaged over 80 percent of her body. This was a 
tragic ending to an extraordinary life.
  For all of her honest criticism and constructive praise, I thank her 
and honor her. Betty Shabazz was a true womanist, activist, and leader. 
I owe here a great debt of gratitude and in the years to come will 
continue to work to preserve her memory.

                          ____________________