The family of Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee announced her passing at the age of 74 on Friday. The news comes two months after the Democratic congresswoman, who had been serving Texas’ 18th District since 1995, disclosed her battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jackson Lee was recognized globally for her relentless advocacy for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a particular focus on women and children, according to a statement from her family. Her death’s exact date remains unclear.
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Jamaica High School before pursuing a political science degree from Yale University in 1972. She later earned her JD from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975. After marrying Elwyn Lee, she relocated to Houston, where she made several attempts at local judgeships before becoming a municipal judge in the late 80s.
Jackson Lee’s political career began in earnest when she was sworn in as the 18th Congressional District representative in 1994, shortly after losing a bid to become Houston’s mayor. She had aspired to be the first black female mayor of the nation’s fourth-largest city. Her district encompassed downtown Houston and some of the city’s historically black neighborhoods.
Despite her challenging diagnosis, Jackson Lee was seeking a 16th term as the Lone Star State’s representative. She revealed last month that she was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, which has a 44% survival rate, according to the American Cancer Society. The congresswoman did not disclose the duration or stage of her disease.
In the past year, Jackson Lee exhibited some concerning behavior, including misinforming high school students that the moon is a “planet” composed mostly of gases. She also mistakenly urged her constituents to vote on the wrong day. It remains unknown whether these incidents were related to her cancer diagnosis.
Jackson Lee was known in Washington DC for her high staff turnover due to her allegedly unusual and demanding requests of her staff, earning her a reputation as one of the “meanest” members of Congress. She was also among the legislators who fought to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. Her office stated, “She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy.”