Black women mourn the death of civil rights advocate Vernon Jordan

Statement from Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

WASHINGTON — Today, the death of civil rights advocate Vernon Jordan was announced. Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement in response:

“Today, we mourn the passing of Vernon Jordan and the loss of another longtime civil rights advocate. He worked his way out of a segregated housing project in Atlanta and into the inner circles of the nation’s elite leaders. He was one of the few Black power brokers in Washington, where he was a Black voice for civil rights and worked behind the scenes for racial justice.

“We are grateful for Vernon Jordan’s dedication to breaking down racist barriers. We are committed to continuing his efforts to ensure that Black voices are at the tables of power. With heartfelt sympathy to Vernon Jordan’s family and friends, we offer our condolences and our promise to continue to represent.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national Reproductive Justice organization focused on lifting up the voices of Black women leaders at the national, regional and state levels in our ongoing fight to secure Reproductive Justice for Black women, femmes, queer, trans and gender non-conforming people and youth. Our strategic partners include Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc., SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, The Afiya Center and Women With A Vision.