--- title: "Remembrances: Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 1949-2008" date: 2008-08-22T00:03:59-04:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/remembrances-stephanie-tubbs-jones-1949-2008" section: Blog (Archive) --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [From the Archives of Our Bodies, Our Blog](/blog)# Remembrances: Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 1949-2008 By Christine Cupaiuolo • August 22, 2008 Please note: This entry -- originally posted at [Our Bodies, Our Blog](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog) -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above. [![](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/images/blog-archive/stephanie_tubbs_jones21.jpg "stephanie_tubbs_jones2")](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/images/blog-archive/stephanie_tubbs_jones21.jpg)With the death of [Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones](http://tubbsjones.house.gov/?sectionid=26§iontree=23,26), the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress, we've lost an [incredible advocate](http://www.ontheissues.org/OH/Stephanie_Tubbs_Jones.htm) for women's reproductive rights and [health care for all](http://court.ontheissues.org/OH/Stephanie_Tubbs_Jones_Health_Care.htm). The memorial service may be held a week from Saturday, on Aug. 30, according to the [Cleveland Plain Dealer](http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/08/memorial_service_could_be_held.html). I was looking for a link that summed up the congresswoman's passion and found this [text](http://www.c-spanarchives.org/congress/?q=node/77531&id=5348215) and [video](http://www.c-spanarchives.org/congress/?q=node/77531&id=5348215) of Jones reading the poem "And the Women Gathered" by Gloria Wade-Gayles (from Feb. 29, 2000). Here's an excerpt: *And the world took notice That women are warriors (Always have been even in the beginning) And so they gathered as women will In the very eye of the storm Pushing against its fury With their own And the world took notice That women birth babies And revolutions The women gathered Ten thousand Rosas inspired by one You saw them. You saw them. You saw them. You saw them. The world saw them.* Below are some tributes -- feel free to add your own thoughts or additional links in the comments. - [NPR](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93835644): U.S. Reps. James Clyburn (D-SC) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) join Farai Chideya in offering remembrances. - [Pam Spaulding](http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6572) has reaction from officials. - [Columnist Connie Schultz writes](http://www.cleveland.com/schultz/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1219307418150810.xml&coll=2), "Our friendship was forged by her to-the-bones understanding of what it means to be a woman willing to stick your neck out for your beliefs. I so appreciated never having to explain the punch line. She'd seen it all." --- #### 2 Responses Our Bodies Ourselves is no longer able to accept comments. **Hope Waltman** on Aug 30, 2008 Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones fought hard to get bills passed to help all Uterine Fibroid sufferers and their families - Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2005 \[H.R.3034.IH\]. I thought others may enjoy seeing her and hearing her speech - this is the video link and one with her photo. http://www.obgyn.net/displaytranscript.asp?page=/avtranscripts/Jones\_Fibroid\_Research\_Act http://www.obgyn.net/display-av.asp?file=JonesA&wm=1 Sincerely, Hope http://www.obgyn.net/fibroid-resource-center/ **Elain T. Vance** on Apr 30, 2018 Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones was truly my Sister Girlfriend for years and I still miss her so much. We are members of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. North Ohio Life and Legacy Life Members Guild and we often hold many conversations concerning our SHERO. She will never ever be forgotten. She was a Sister Girlfriend to many. May God Continue to Bless her Soul. ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [Politics](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/politics) - [Women We Love](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/topic/women-we-love) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)