MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Horhn, Frazier, Jones, Jackson (11th), Norwood, Simmons (13th), Dawkins, Jordan, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (12th), Stone

Senate Concurrent Resolution 657

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST STEPHANIE PARKER-WEAVER OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

     WHEREAS, longtime Jackson Community Activist Stephanie Parker-Weaver is being remembered as a fighter in the struggle for human rights in Mississippi.  Parker-Weaver passed away March 24, 2015, after a long battle with Graves' disease and breast cancer; and

     WHEREAS, known as an advocate for social justice, immigrants' rights and workers' rights, Parker-Weaver also served as the first Secretary of the Mississippi Chapter of the Southern Leadership Conference.  Born September 30, 1962, Stephanie Parker-Weaver was a Jackson, Mississippi, native, a Civil Rights Activist and Human Rights Advocate whose persona is defined in one word:  "fearless"; and

     WHEREAS, as the daughter of her late parents, Civil Rights Attorney Frank R. Parker III and Community/Labor Union Activist Carolyn Parker, Stephanie followed in their footsteps, dedicating her entire life as a champion for the causes of humankind and justice; and

     WHEREAS, Stephanie, also known as "Sistuh Hurricane," engaged in her fiercest political battle in November 1999 when the State of Mississippi declared eminent domain on behalf of Nissan North America against a group of black landowners near Canton, Mississippi.  In 2002, Parker-Weaver won this major war against eminent domain abuse on behalf of all landowners in Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, however, in January 2008, Stephanie faced her toughest battle to save her own life against the most aggressive, fastest-spreading and deadliest form of breast cancer.  In July 2011, she founded Rebirth Alliance, Inc., a Mississippi-based breast cancer awareness group.  Stephanie was a motivational speaker and author of an award-winning autobiographical book about her life as a Civil Rights Activist and breast cancer advocate entitled, Rebirth:  A Breast Cancer Journey of Many; Survival of Few; and

     WHEREAS, in 2013, Parker-Weaver received the Faith and Social Justice Leadership Award from the Black Women's Roundtable, a group of black women civic leaders.  The Faith and Social Justice Leadership Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of dedication and advocacy in the fight for social justice and being a change agent on behalf of the less fortunate in society.  She has also received numerous human rights awards and certificates, and was highlighted in Who's Who in Black Mississippi.  She is survived by her husband, Cordell Weaver, and was a member of Word and Worship Church, pastored by Reverend Jeffery Stallworth; and

     WHEREAS, Stephanie was an advocate for the less fortunate among us and was an example to others of how to live your convictions with courage.  She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her special wisdom and wit.  Life is an occasion -- Stephanie Parker-Weaver rose up courageously and with honor to its opportunities and challenges.  While she has departed this earth, her worldly impact on her many friends and family will never be forgotten:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the passing of Social Justice Advocate and Civil Rights Activist Stephanie Parker-Weaver of Jackson, Mississippi, and extend the condolences of the Mississippi Legislature to her surviving family and friends.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Stephanie Parker-Weaver, forwarded to the Mississippi Chapter of the Southern Leadership Conference, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.