AUBURN GRESHAM — Mayor Rahm Emanuel ordered flags on all city buildings to be flown at half-staff Thursday after news that the Rev. Willie Barrow, a longtime leader in the civil rights movement in Chicago, had died.
Barrow died early Thursday at age 90, the Rev. Jesse Jackson confirmed. She was one of the founders of Operation Breadbasket, a precursor to Jackson's current Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Jackson confirmed Barrow's death on Twitter Thursday morning.
Sister beloved, Dr. King Staff member & our partner of 50 years has made her transition. Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow. RIP pic.twitter.com/lyBerR99GW
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) March 12, 2015 Nicknamed the "Little Warrior," Barrow worked with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on sit-ins and boycotts in the South, and was among the demonstrators in the historic Selma to Montgomery, Ala., marches in 1965.
She "was small in frame but her voice was powerful, and contributed immeasurably to the cause of fairness, justice and opportunity in our community and the nation," Emanuel said in a statement issued late Thursday morning. "We mourn her loss but give thanks for the impactful life she lived."
In a statement from the White House, President Barrack Obama called Barrow a "civil rights icon and a Chicago institution, a 'Little Warrior' in pursuit of justice for all God's children."
Obama highlighted Barrow's early investment for equality when, at 12 years old, the Texas native led her first demonstration in 1936, challenging the local school district's policy of not providing bus service for African-American students.
Barrow studied to become a minister in Portland, Ore., where she was later ordained.
According to the Sun-Times, Barrow worked as a welder for Kaiser Shipyards, where she met her husband Clyde Barrow. In 1945, Barrow and her husband moved to Chicago, and by 1950, she was organizing marches and demonstrations for the civil rights movement across the county.
"Nowhere was Rev. Barrow's impact felt more than in our hometown of Chicago," Obama said. "She never stopped doing all she could to make her community a better place."
Barrow stood up for labor rights, women's rights and gay rights, "proudly welcoming LGBT brothers and sisters to the movement she helped lead," Obama said.
"Michelle and I are deeply saddened by Reverend Barrow's passing, but we take comfort in the knowledge that our world is a far better place because she was a part of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rev. Barrow's family, and with all those who loved her as we did," Obama added.
In a statement, mayoral candidate Jesus Chuy Garcia recognized Barrow's dedication and contribution to "peace, opportunity and fairness."
"She fought for peace as a nonviolent warrior," Garcia said.
"Where there was a fight for justice — larger or small — at the international or at the neighborhood level — Willie Barrow was there, and she spoke out fearlessly. She was a source of inspiration and encouragement to our young people," said Garcia.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly lauded Barrow for her "passionate and unwavering commitment" to social justice issues.
"After a lifetime of answering the call to justice, it seems somewhat poetic that she herself be called home only days after the nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Selma march. In her honor, we must follow her courageous example and continue the pursuit of justice and equality for all," Kelly said in a statement.
Later Thursday, Jackson reflected on Barrow's death.
"I am saddened by her passing. She was a woman of great character and great courage," Jackson told DNAinfo Chicago.
Jackson recalled Barrow's endless commitment for race equality, women's rights, gay rights and labor issues, as well traveling the world for anti-war demonstrations.
"She made things happen because she never stopped, she never stopped," Jackson said.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger took to Twitter to acknowledge Barrow's death.
We mourn the loss of Rev. Willie Barrow this morning....Our Little Warrior, who never stopped fighting for Justice.....
— Fr. Michael Pfleger (@MichaelPfleger) March 12, 2015
Barrow "was a friend, a mentor, one, who I think, is a living testimony of fighting for justice and equality," Pfleger told DNAinfo Chicago.
"She never got tired, she never gave up, and she had been fighting all her life — since she was a teenager," Pfleger said.
"She was tiny in stature, but a giant when it came to the fight for justice and equality. She was Chicago's Rosa Parks," Pfleger said.
"It's a great loss for anyone who believes in justice. But she did her part, now it's time for us to ask ourselves how we can live like her," Pfleger said.
According to the Sun-Times, Barrow had been in the hospital receiving treatment for a blood clot in her lung.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
