Jacqueline Jackson
Born
Jacqueline Lavinia Davis

(1944-03-07) March 7, 1944
Fort Pierce, Florida, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Author; peace activist
Notable workLoving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
​
(m. 1962)​
Children5, including Santita, Jesse Jr., and Jonathan

Jacqueline Lavinia "Jackie" Jackson (née Davis, later Brown, born March 7, 1944) is an American author and peace activist. She wrote Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray, a compilation of letters she had sent to her son Jesse Jackson Jr. while the latter was incarcerated. Married to Jesse Jackson since 1962, she has been described by The Los Angeles Times as "elusive, private and largely unknown to the public."[1]

Early life

Jackson was born Jacqueline Lavinia Davis on March 7, 1944[2] in Fort Pierce, Florida, to Gertrude "Gertie" Davis (March 7, 1927 – July 13, 2017), an "unwed migrant worker who earned 15 cents an hour picking beans."[3][4] Jackson never saw her father.[5] Her mother married Navy Chief Petty Officer Julius Frances Brown Sr. when Jackson was five, and the family relocated to Newport News, Virginia.[6][3] In an interview Jackson stated she believed her mother to be "too strict" when she was a child.[1] She considered becoming a nun when she was a teenager, but eventually decided not to pursue that path.[7] She has four half-siblings through her mother.[3] According to biographer Marshall Frady's book Jesse, Jackson's maternal grandmother was a prostitute.[8]

Jackson attended Huntington High School in West Virginia before entering North Carolina A&T State University, then known as the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina.[9] While a student at A&T, she was a civil rights protester.[10] In an interview with the Public Broadcasting Service, she recounted writing a persuasive paper on how China should get a seat in the United Nations.[11] Jackson ended up dropping out of A&T when her first child, Santita, was born.[12]

Career

The Jackson family visiting Mahatma Gandhi's grave in India. Jackson appears in the right foreground. To her right is her husband Jesse Jackson.

Author

In 2013, Jackson's son Jesse Jr. pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign laws and was incarcerated for 30 months. While her son was in prison, Jackson wrote him a letter every day.[13] After Jesse Jr. was released, Jackson compiled the letters she had sent to him in a book Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray,[14] which was published by Skyhorse Publishing.[15] To promote the book, Jackson and Jesse Jr. appeared on CBS This Morning[16] and WGN (AM).[17] Salon wrote, "They used their media appearances to discuss criminal justice reform, the moral failures of the penal system and how best to assimilate ex-convicts, especially those who are not former members of Congress, into roles of productive citizenship."[18]

Peace activism

In 1979, Jackson traveled with activist Jack O'Dell to Beirut to speak to Palestinian leaders, including Yasser Arafat.[19] Writing for Ebony in 1984, journalist Hans Massaquoi stated Jackson was "an eloquent spokesperson for oppressed minorities, including Black women."[20] In 1985, Jackson led a delegation of 10 women to Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia for relief efforts during droughts across those countries.[21]

In 2001, Jackson was arrested at Camp Garcia Vieques in Vieques, Puerto Rico with nine other activists for misdemeanor trespassing while protesting the United States Navy's bombing tests in the area. She was ordered to comply with a strip search and body cavity search; while she lifted her breasts and undressed, she would not comply with the body cavity search. Because of the incident, she was placed in solitary confinement.[22] She was held in jail in San Juan for 10 days, refusing to post the $3000 bail.[23][24] During the stint in jail, she rejected several meals.[25] Jesse came to meet her when she was released.[26] She stated, "This has been a very humiliating experience and dehumanizing experience for me."[26] She received the Peace & Justice Award from Rainbow/PUSH for her efforts during the protest.[27]

Jackson was the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from North Carolina A&T State University in May 2021 "for a lifetime of dedicated service".[28]

Politics

During her husband Jesse's run for the US presidential nomination on the Democratic ticket in 1984, she spoke at a fundraiser at Howard University, where she stated, "Any woman who cannot vote for Jesse Jackson betrays her own cause."[29] During Jesse's run, Jackson insisted the campaign not answer questions about their personal lives.[3] She was criticized for wearing designer attire and for her "extravagant taste in fashion", wearing dresses by Cuban designer Adolfo, American designer Bill Blass, and Greek designer James Galanos.[30]

During the United States presidential election of 2008, Jackson supported Hillary Clinton as the nominee over Barack Obama. Discussing politics on NPR, she said:

"...she's the best person for this country at this time. We have a failing economy at this time. The image of women is at rock bottom. I'm looking for someone to elevate not only the economy, but the image of women. Because I know that women are the nucleus of every society, and whenever a society is failing or on its way out, look at the character, look at the way women are treated, and then you will see what the future holds for our children and that country."[31]

Personal life

Jackson met Jesse during her freshman year at A&T College.[11] On December 31, 1962, in her sophomore year, the 18-year-old Jackson married Jesse at his parents' home.[32][33] Together they have five children: Santita (1963), Jesse Jr. (1965), Jonathan Luther (1966), Yusef DuBois (1970), and Jacqueline Lavinia (1975).[34]

According to a 1987 article in the Chicago Tribune, Jackson "held the majority of the family's assets in her name", including stock worth above $250,000 in the Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, an owner of radio stations. She also owned a home with Jesse on the South Side of Chicago worth $100,000. At that time, the family's assets were approximately between $397,000 and $600,000.[35]

In August 2021, Jackson and her husband were hospitalized with COVID-19.[36] She had not been vaccinated.[37] On August 27 she was in the intensive care unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital while her husband was transferred to a rehabilitation facility.[38] On September 4, she returned home.[39] After recovering from COVID-19 she publicly stated than everyone should be getting vaccinated and following CDC guidelines.[40]

Bibliography

  • Jackson, Jaqueline Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray (2019) ISBN 978-1948924320

References

  1. 1 2 Sipchen, Bob; Abrams, Garry (May 18, 1988). "The Elusive Jackie Jackson : Articulate and Charismatic, She Balances Keeping Her Identity and Living in His Shadow". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  2. ↑ Olphin, Olivia (May 2021). "Who is Rev Jesse Jackson's wife? Meet Jaqueline L. Jackson". The Focus. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Romano, Lois (January 24, 1988). "The Pride of Jackie Jackson". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Mother-in-Law of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Gertrude Davis Brown Passes At 90". Chicago Defender. July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  5. ↑ Martinez, Al (May 30, 1984). "Jackson's 'exciting' wife campaigning dramatically". The Los Angeles Times. p. A17. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Gertrude Davis Brown Death Notice". Chicago Crusader. July 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  7. ↑ Gaiter, Dorothy J. (April 29, 1984). "Jacqueline Jackson Carries Her Share of Campaign Burden". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  8. ↑ Frady, Marshall (2006). Jesse. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781416543497. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  9. ↑ Evertz, Mary (September 29, 2005). "Jesse Jackson's "most loyal critic' to visit". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Jesse Jackson". Journal of Defense & Diplomacy. Defense & Diplomacy, Incorporated. 6: 53. 1988.
  11. 1 2 "Interview with Jackie Jackson". PBS. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  12. ↑ Hamilton, Mildred (May 14, 1984). "Jacqueline Jackson follows her own agenda". The San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  13. ↑ Howard, Marilyn K. (October 10, 2019). "Book Review: Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray: Letters to My Son in Prison by Jacqueline L. Jackson". Columbus Free Press. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Jesse Jackson Jr. says his mother's determination pulled him out of a dark place in prison". CBS News. February 6, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Jesse Jackson Jr.'s mother is releasing of book of letters". Associated Press. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Jesse Jackson Jr. says his mother's determination pulled him out of a dark place in prison". CBS. February 6, 2019. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  17. ↑ Williams, John (February 18, 2019). "Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Jacqueline Jackson on publishing "Letters to My Son in Prison"". WGN AM. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  18. ↑ Masciotra, David (June 13, 2021). "Jesse Jackson Jr. warned us about democracy: It's hobbling, "on one broken leg, and drunk"". Salon. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  19. ↑ O'Dell, Jack (2012). Climbin' Jacob's Ladder. University of California Press. p. 43. ISBN 9780520274549.
  20. ↑ Massaquoi, Hans (July 1984). "I'd Make A Great First Lady". Ebony. XXXIX (9): 25.
  21. ↑ "Jackson Reports on Visit With Pope and Groups In Europe". Jet. 67 (20): 7. January 28, 1985.
  22. ↑ Wickam, DeWayne (July 2, 2001). "Jackson's wife subjected to embarrassment". The Noblesville Ledger. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Rev. Jackson's Wife, Jacqueline, Jailed in Puerto Rico Bombing Protest". Jet. 100 (4): 6. July 9, 2001. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  24. ↑ Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2015). Civil Disobedience An Encyclopedic History of Dissidence in the United States. Taylor & Francis. p. 318. ISBN 9781317474418. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Jesse Jackson's wife finishes sentence for Vieques protest". Associated Press. June 28, 2001. p. 4. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  26. 1 2 James, Ian (June 28, 2001). "Jaqueline Jackson completes sentence for Vieques protest". The Desert Sun. p. 8. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Celebrates 30th Anniversary". Jet. 100 (11): 51. Aug 27, 2001. ISSN 0021-5996.
  28. ↑ Jackson, Jesse (May 8, 2021). "Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson Will Become an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters For a Lifetime of Dedicated Service". Chicago Crusader. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  29. ↑ Gaiter, Dorothy J. (April 18, 1984). "Jacqueline Jackson Finds Own Role". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  30. ↑ Amon, Rhoda (June 7, 1984). "Running On Politics And Panache". Newsday. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Spouses Split on High Profile Political Endorsements". NPR. January 22, 200. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  32. ↑ Leeman, Richard W. (2005). American Voices An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Orators. Greenwood Press. p. 192. ISBN 9780313327902.
  33. ↑ Haskins, Jim; Benson, Kathleen (2008). African American religious leaders. Wiley. p. 128. ISBN 9780470231425.
  34. ↑ "Voices & Viewpoints: Jesse Jackson". Archived from the original on August 20, 2003. Retrieved July 10, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  35. ↑ Gibson, Ray (October 29, 1987). "Jackson report shows pay from family firm". Chicago Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  36. ↑ Falconer, Rebecca (August 21, 2021). "Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson hospitalized with COVID". Axios. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  37. ↑ Kenney, Madeline (September 18, 2021). "Wife of Rev. Jesse Jackson now 'a true proponent' of vaccination as they recover from COVID-19". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Rev. Jesse Jackson Moved To Rehab Facility As COVID Symptoms Subside, But Wife Jacqueline Moved To ICU". 2021-08-27. Archived from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
  39. ↑ Rose, Andy. "Jacqueline Jackson, the wife of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, is home after hospitalization for Covid-19". Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  40. ↑ Kennedy, Madeline (September 18, 2021). "Wife of Rev. Jesse Jackson now 'a true proponent' of vaccination as they recover from COVID-19". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
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