Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) earned a 2016 Trumpet Award for her long career as an activist for change inside and outside of the system. She called in to SOUL of Jazz on Monday, January 25 to talk about the award. She also discussed the issues that she sees as important to all of us as we head into a nation-changing election year. Like all true leaders, Lee has been fearless about her positions on issues regardless of their popularity at the time.
It was very serendipitous that I spoke with her today because on January 25 back in 1972, her mentor/predecessor, Shirley Chisholm, the very first Black woman elected to Congress, announced her bid for the Office of President of the United States. Congresswoman Chisholm was against the war in Vietnam and Congresswoman Barbara Lee was the ONLY member of house who voted against the authorization of the use of force after the 9/11 attacks. As we can clearly see, she was right and everyone else was wrong. She also said she seriously digs Jazz music.
Trumpet Awards: Originally presented by Turner Broadcasting in 1993 and now presented by the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc., the Trumpet Awards were created to herald the accomplishments of Black Americans who have succeeded against immense odds. Special recognition is given to the few, who symbolize the many, who have overcome the ills of racism and poverty and achieved special greatness.
For more information about the Trumpet Awards, click here.
For more information on Congresswoman Lee, click here.