NFDW Recognizes the Life and Legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson,A Civil Rights Legend of the Democratic Party

The National Federation of Democratic Women (NFDW) honors the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson -- a civil rights legend, political strategist and human rights activist. Rev. Jackson was a central figure in the Democratic Party for more than six decades. On July 18, 1988 in his speech before the Democratic National Convention, Rev. Jackson stated: “Common good is finding commitment to new priorities to expansion and inclusion. A commitment to expanded participation in the Democratic Party at every level. A commitment to a shared national campaign strategy and involvement at every level.”

Rev. Jackson’s commitment to inclusion led to him developing a new entity -- Rainbow PUSH Coalition. This novel entity helped to reshape American political power by building a diverse coalition centered on voices traditionally excluded from national leadership including Black voters, women, young people and the working class. The Rainbow PUSH Coalition would become the foundation of modern Democratic Party politics.

In 1984 and 1988, Rev. Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination. Rev. Jackson did not receive the nomination, but he correctly prophesized that he “redefined what was possible and raised the lid for women and other people of color.” In 2024, Rev. Jackson made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois where Kamala Harris accepted the party’s nomination for the presidency.

While the commanding and poetic voice of Rev. Jackson is silenced by his passing, his words are forever a part of America’s history. As we navigate a present-day United States that denounces the value of diversity and democracy, the NFDW again embraces the divinatory words of Rev. Jesse Jackson: “We must never surrender! America will get better and better. Keep hope alive!”