BlogHer - breaking news - Comments

Yes, we care; floods in India

snigdhasen — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:48:04 -0500

Vita, thank you for stopping by. First, I hope you are safe wherever you are.

I must assure you that people do notice! News organizations are covering the disasters. And BlogHer certainly does care. I know the editor, who wanted a post done on this issue immediately, cared deeply :)

Mother Nature has her own way of communicating her feelings. The least we can do is care and help. Seems like there's more to come. In what is being described as the worst flood in 100 years in the region, floods in southern India last week took nearly 300 lives and has displaced over a million.

I am so pleased you are

Vita lingus — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:32:41 -0500

I am so pleased you are writing about this situation I was begining to wonder who had noticed here bless you for noticing !!

vita

You are safe!

snigdhasen — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:34:57 -0500

Midnightbliss, so glad you are safe! I am so sorry to hear about the devastation. No matter how many times nature strikes, one can never get used to such destruction and loss of life.
We hope the stronger typhoon passes by and never makes landfall.
Stay safe and do keep us posted.

fortunately, i live in the

midnightbliss — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:29:31 -0500

fortunately, i live in the central part of the philippines, until now, 6 days after the devastation of typhoon ketsana (Ondoy) some of the places in northern phillipines are still submerged in water and by tomorrow there is a threat that another and stronger typhoon will landfall also in the northern part of the phillipines.

Thanks, Jill

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:31:31 -0500

Your reporting from the ground in Ohio has been invaluable in helping to capture this awful and significant moment. The more I read about Tubbs Jones and think about her legacy, the more I am reminded of Sojourner Truth, whose lifetime commitment to human rights was also born of a mighty faith. Like Tubbs Jones, she paired the causes of women's rights and civil rights. Truth also had a fine legal mind, despite her lack of formal education. She successfully petitioned a New York state court for the freedom of one of her children in the 1830s, for example. And Ohio figures prominently in Truth's resume -- it's where she made her famous "Arn't I a Woman Speech" in 1851.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Statement from James Clyburn

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:13:16 -0500

I was stunned by the news today of the passing of
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. There is a great gap where she
stood on behalf of affordable health care, women’s issues, access to
quality education and fairness in voting...

The whole statement from the House Democratic Whip

(h/t Marian Douglas)

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Moving collection of photos, video, remembrances

Jill Miller Zimon — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:11:25 -0500

There are many and many good ones. This one was done by Ohio blogger Jeff Coryell at Ohio Daily Blog and underscores Stephanie Tubbs Jones' total commitment to doing the best and the most as an elected official.

Also, from the heart of it all, an hour radio program this morning on WCPN, Cleveland' public radio, dedicated to talking about and remembering the Congresswoman.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Pelosi Statement on Passing of Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:10:42 -0500

"On
behalf of all Members of Congress, I express my deepest condolences on
the sudden death of our friend and colleague, Chairwoman Stephanie
Tubbs Jones, to all who loved her, particularly her son, Mervyn Leroy
Jones, II, and her sister, Barbara Walker.

"Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a tremendously vibrant presence in the halls of Congress. She believed in all the best things about our nation, and was a tireless force for justice, equality, and opportunity.

The whole statement from the Speaker of the House

(h/t Marian Douglas)

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Congressional Black Caucus statement

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:05:12 -0500

Washington, D.C.-
"Today, GOD has called one of his devout disciples home. The untimely
departure of our beloved friend and fearless leader, Chairwoman
Stephanie Tubbs Jones is indescribable.” said Congresswoman Carolyn C.
Kilpatrick (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

“This
is an enormously solemn day for Members of Congress, the Congressional
Black Caucus family, Ohio residents and the world. Chairwoman Tubbs
Jones was undoubtedly a true steward of the people. She dedicated her
life to ensure that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was
afforded to every American. Her command of the law was only matched by
her boundless sense of integrity.”

The whole statement

(h/t Marian Douglas)

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

That statement was impressive

lauriewrites — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:46:45 -0500

Because it reads so differently from the usual "We are so very sorry...." statement. It's a tribute to a true friend.

Impressive. Beautiful. How wonderful to have that kind of impact on so many. These connections make it any better that her life ended so early relative to many - they just make it seem all the more worthwhile.

Laurie

Comment from Cleveland TV anchor, sorority sister

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:13:10 -0500

Excerpt from statement by News Channel 5's Danita Harris:

She's more than a congresswoman to me, she is my sorority sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and a dear friend.

Video of Ms. Harris' coverage of the late Congresswoman is also on the page.

Rep. Tubbs Jones was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, one of the "Divine Nine" pantheon of African American fraternities and sororities. She often wore red, one of the sorority's colors, as a symbol of her Delta pride. Other prominent Deltas include the first African American woman elected to Congress, the Hon. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), who served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983. Of course, Chisholm was also the first woman to run for President of the United States. On the occasion of her death in 2005, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton paid tribute to Rep. Chisholm with the leadership of the Deltas.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Statement from Pres. and Mrs. Bush

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:55:54 -0500

From the White House Press office:

Laura and I are saddened by the death of Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs
Jones.

As a proud lifelong resident of Ohio's 11th District, she devoted her
career to serving her community at both the State and national levels.
She was an effective legislator who was dedicated to helping small
businesses, improving local schools, expanding job opportunities for
Ohioans, and ensuring that more of them have access to healthcare.
After making history as the first African American woman elected to
Congress from Ohio, the Congresswoman worked to expand the rights of all
Americans. Our Nation is grateful for her service.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her son Mervyn Leroy Jones, II and the
rest of her family.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Official statement on the passing of Rep. Stubbs Jones

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:50:52 -0500

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It is with deep sadness
that we inform you of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones,
beloved mother to Mervyn Jones II, sister to Barbara L. Walker, dear
colleague, loyal servant and friend to all. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones
passed after being admitted to Huron Hospital having suffered an aneurysm
while driving her car in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Tuesday evening. She
was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. today. The official cause of death was an
aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage...

via PRnewswire

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Not being able to say goodbye is especially heartbreaking

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:47:17 -0500

According to news reports, Rep. Tubbs Jones' husband died suddenly in 2003. It's hard to imagine what it must be like for her son to lose both of his parents that way.

And yes, the best tribute is to follow her example of principled, determined leadership.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

What a leader

Lisa Stone — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:35:42 -0500

I don't have the words here. She was an incredible, passionate leader -- and not be able to say goodbye? My heart is breaking for her family.

We need more women like Tubbs-Jones in office. That's the way to thank her.

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette