[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 161 (Wednesday, November 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF MRS. RICHIE JEAN SHERROD JACKSON

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                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2013

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson, a phenomenal woman and 
beloved teacher, author, and civil rights activist who departed this 
life on Sunday November 10, 2013. For her dedicated service to the City 
of Selma and the State of Alabama, I pay tribute today to the life work 
of Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson.
   Mrs. Jackson was born August 30, 1932 the only child of the late 
John W. and Juanita Richardson Sherrod. Her early years were spent in 
York and Selma, Alabama.
   Mrs. Jackson graduated from Cardoza High School in Washington, D.C. 
and completed her Bachelor's degree in Education from Alabama State 
University and Master's degree in Education from the University of 
Montevallo.
   Mrs. Jackson was married to Dr. Sullivan Jackson and together made 
Selma, Alabama their home. To this union was born one child; Jawana 
Virginia Jackson to whom they were devoted.
   In addition to her strong commitment to family, Mrs. Jackson in 1961 
began a 30 year teaching career with Selma Public Schools serving as 
both a teacher to countless numbers of children and as an administrator 
with the school system.
   Because of her family's dedication and allegiance to civic and 
social justice, the Jackson home on Lapsley Street became a focal point 
for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders as they planned the 
Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March.
   In 2011, Mrs. Jackson's book, The House by the Side of the Road: The 
Civil Rights Movement was published by The University of Alabama Press. 
The book detailed her personal memoirs reflecting on how her home in 
Selma served as the informal headquarters for Dr. King during the Civil 
Rights Movement. She and her husband Dr. Jackson were influential and 
prominent supporters of the movement. Dr. King and other national 
leaders, including Ralph David Abernathy and John Lewis, held strategy 
sessions at the Jackson house and also met with Assistant Attorney 
General John Doar to negotiate plans for the Selma to Montgomery march.
   This firsthand account showed the heart of Dr. and Mrs. Richie Jean 
Jackson, and the pivotal role they played to carefully create a safe 
haven for civil rights leaders. They also courageously dealt with the 
challenges of living through events that would forever change America 
through the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
   Mrs. Jackson demonstrated an exemplary commitment to community and 
enjoyed membership in the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church; the Alabama 
State Dental Wives Auxiliary; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and numerous 
civic and community endeavors in Selma, Alabama.
   On a personal note, I will always remember Mrs. Jackson as my sixth 
grade teacher at Cedar Park Elementary School in Selma, Alabama. Mrs. 
Jackson was a gifted teacher and strict disciplinarian. She expected 
the best from her students and settled for nothing less. I am grateful 
to have her as a guiding influence in my life and I will cherish the 
memories of being in her class. Mrs. Jackson was also a longtime member 
of my home church, Btown Chapel where she would faithful sit in same 
pew each Sunday. I was always aware of the special role she and her 
home played in the civil rights movement but I believe one of her 
greatest gift is embodied in the hearts and minds of the many students 
she taught and mentored in her 30 year teaching career.
   On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama 
and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life 
and legacy of Mrs. Richie Jean Sherrod Jackson. May we strive to 
emulate her servant heart and pay tribute to her distinguished 
humanitarian efforts and contributions to the betterment of society.

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