Dec 29, 2024 Story by: Editor
WASHINGTON — Barbara Lee, a trailblazing progressive, concluded her time in Congress as she began it: standing firm on challenging issues.
From signing a petition for campaign finance reform on her first day to opposing a defense funding bill that included a Republican-backed ban on gender-affirming care for minors in her final days, Lee consistently championed bold stances.
“As I look back on my time, I feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to not only serve my community but to advance justice, equity and peace throughout our country and the entire world,” Lee said in her final speech in the House on December 17.
Lee, the highest-ranking Black woman in Democratic leadership, broke barriers throughout her political journey. She co-founded the Congressional Equality Caucus, led both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and represented Congress at the United Nations General Assembly six times.
Growing up in the segregated South, Lee overcome significant challenges. As a teenager, she traveled to Mexico for an abortion, years before the procedure was legalized in the United States. She survived domestic violence and, as a single mother on public assistance, raised two children while earning her master’s degree in social work from UC Berkeley.
Her political career began with her work on Rep. Shirley Chisholm’s historic presidential campaign in 1972. She also volunteered for the Black Panther Party’s community learning center and later worked for Rep. Ron Dellums, who preceded her in Congress. Lee served in the California Assembly and Senate before becoming the 20th Black woman elected to Congress in 1998—following in the footsteps of Chisholm, the first Black congresswoman.
A painting of Chisholm, hanging in the U.S. Capitol, commemorates her legacy. Lee, who treasures a ring gifted to her by Chisholm—a piece once presented to Chisholm by British royalty—emphasized the deep connection between her work and Chisholm’s groundbreaking achievements.
Despite her reputation as one of Congress’s most liberal members, Lee was a highly effective legislator, successfully passing hundreds of laws. She attributed this success to two guiding principles: “Don’t hit below the belt; don’t get personal.”
“I very seldom call a person a name. I’ll say your actions, your policies, your behaviors. But you have to live to fight another day. And I think that’s why I was able to work with George (W.) Bush, who I disagreed with, with (Rep. Michael) Burgess, with (Rep.) Matt Gaetz,” Lee explained.
Among her proudest accomplishments were the creation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; legislation commemorating prominent American women with quarters; normalizing relations with Cuba during the Obama administration; and pressuring FEMA to provide burial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Being a trendsetter has been important,” Lee said. “But sometimes it’s really hard because I’m the only one yelling about it.” Source: San Francisco Chronicle
