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Rev. Barrow

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The Rev. Willie T. Barrow, a direct link to some of the greatest civil rights leaders and protests, died Thursday at age 90.

She had been in the intensive care unit of Jackson Park Hospital, getting treatment for a blood clot in her lung.

“She was small in stature but she was a giant in character,” said the Rev. Michael L. Pfleger of St. Sabina Church. “She was a person who was rooted in faith and who was a warrior for justice. The best way we can honor her is to live like her.”

* From the President…

Reverend Willie T. Barrow was a Civil Rights icon and a Chicago institution, a “Little Warrior” in pursuit of justice for all God’s children. In 1936, when she was just 12 years old, Reverend Barrow demanded to be let on to her all-white school bus in Texas, and the fight for equality she joined that day would become the cause of her life. She marched with Dr. King on Washington and in Selma. She stood up for labor rights and women’s rights. She made one of the first pieces of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and proudly welcomed LGBT brothers and sisters to the movement she helped lead.

Nowhere was Reverend Barrow’s impact felt more than in our hometown of Chicago. Through Operation Breadbasket, the Rainbow/PUSH coalition, and her beloved Vernon Park Church, she never stopped doing all she could to make her community a better place. To Michelle and me, she was a constant inspiration, a lifelong mentor, and a very dear friend. I was proud to count myself among the more than 100 men and women she called her “Godchildren,” and worked hard to live up to her example. I still do.

Michelle and I are deeply saddened by Reverend Barrow’s passing, but we take comfort in the knowledge that our world is a far better place because she was a part of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with Reverend Barrow’s family, and with all those who loved her as we did.

* From Mayor Emanuel…

“Today all Chicagoans mourn the passing of Reverend Willie T. Barrow.

“From a teenager who demonstrated for equality in the segregated south to a revered Chicago icon who helped to found Operation Breadbasket, Reverend Barrow spent her life on the front lines in the fight for justice. She marched in Selma and played a pivotal role in persuading Dr. King to take his fight for equality to Chicago.

“Known as ‘The Little Warrior,’ Rev. Barrow was small in frame but her voice was powerful, and contributed immeasurably to the cause of fairness, justice and opportunity in our community and the nation. We mourn her loss but give thanks for the impactful life she lived.

“I have ordered flags at all city facilities lowered in Rev. Barrow’s memory, and offer our thoughts and prayers to her family and many friends.”

* Attorney General Madigan…

“Reverend Barrow was a tremendous person, with a strong spirit and an unrelenting passion in seeking justice for all. While small in stature, this ‘Little Warrior’ never shied from a fight worth fighting. She was a true public servant in every sense. We have all benefited from her courageous work, and I am proud to have known her and learned from her example. I will miss her love and leadership.”

* Congresswoman Robin Kelly…

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Reverend Dr. Willie Barrow. Rev. Barrow’s passionate pursuit of social justice and unwavering commitment to equality for African Americans, women and gay Americans will continue to inspire for generations. I am proud to have had such an esteemed icon of the civil rights movement as a fellow Sigma Gamma Rho Soror. After a lifetime of answering the call to justice, it seems somewhat poetic that she herself be called home only days after the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Selma March. In her honor, we must follow her courageous example and continue the pursuit of justice and equality for all.”

…Adding… Joint Black Caucus Chairwoman, Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford…

“Although the Reverend Dr. Willie T. Barrow was small in stature, she was mighty in her lifelong dedication to racial equality and social justice. We the members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus are deeply saddened at the loss of one of the mothers of the movement. I will personally miss her encouragement, kind words and fierce advocacy. We all stand on her shoulders as sons and daughters of the movement.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:10 pm

Comments

Some shoes can never be filled — but that’s no excuse for us not to try.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:21 pm
She was an enormous force in Chicago’s history.

Comment by Belle Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:23 pm
She used her time on this earth well, that’s for sure. I’ve been watching my FB feed and am pleasantly surprised at how many of my friends were touched by her at some point in their careers, always for the better.

Rest in peace Rev. Barrow. Chicago is a better place because of your work.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:24 pm
I still cherish the bear hug I got from Rev. Barrow after an event several years ago. She absolutely radiated warmth and good will. And that smile! May she rest in peace, and may her work continue to prosper.

Comment by Linus Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:26 pm
Beautiful words from our leaders for a beautiful person.

Comment by phocion Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:31 pm
I had the great fortune of interviewing Rev. Barrow a few times back in the day. The guts and commitment of some people put me to shame. I need to try harder.

The lesson is, it aint about reaching the destination, but being a good scout on the journey. And leave it better than you found it.

One thing that stands out in memory from a chat — she was Rosie the Riveter. She built ships on the Pacific Coast during WWII. She was very proud of that.

No crying for a life lived in full. We should all be so blessed.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 3:13 pm
A legendary, pioneering civil rights icon has passed and we are all worse for it. I was pleased to see an impromptu memorial set up at City Hall in Chicago and hastily memorialized my thoughts of her today. Farewell, find lady, farewell!

Comment by Black Ivy Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 9:29 pm