MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Campbell, Coleman (65th), Banks, Blackmon, Brown (66th), Calhoun, Clarke, Dixon, Evans (70th), Wooten, Perkins
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF MRS. STEPHANIE PARKER-WEAVER, COMMUNITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY UPON HER PASSING.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Stephanie Parker-Weaver, civil rights activist, human rights advocate and breast cancer advocate, departed this earthly life on March 24, 2015, causing great sorrow and loss to her family and many friends; and
WHEREAS, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, Mrs. Parker-Weaver was reared in love by her late parents, civil rights attorney Frank R. Parker III, and community/labor union activist Carolyn Parker; and
WHEREAS, a true advocate for social justice, immigrants rights and workers rights, Mrs. Parker-Weaver, who was affectionately referred to as "Sistuh Hurricane," tirelessly worked to help others, and was well-known throughout the country for efforts such as those taken in 2002 when she won an eminent domain battle against Nissan for African-American land owners in Canton, Mississippi - an effort that has positively affected all land owners regardless of their race; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parker-Weaver, who was described as fearless, faced her toughest battle in 2008 when diagnosed with Graves disease and Her2-positive breast cancer, but true to her fearless spirit, she reacted by forming her beloved Rebirth Alliance, Inc., which is a nonprofit breast cancer awareness group that focuses on women who develop Her2-positive breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, in addition to creating Rebirth Alliance, Mrs. Parker-Weaver was a motivational speaker as well as author of a ravely reviewed autobiographical book entitled Rebirth:A Breast Cancer Journey of Many; Survival of Few, and she was
co-coordinator of the MS Coalition on Black Civic Participation and a member of organizations such as: Southern Christian Leadership Conference, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, MS Witness Project, A. Philip Randolph Institution, MS Federation of Democratic Women and MS Unity Caucus; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parker-Weaver was a Christian and member of Word and Worship Church and was supported throughout her endeavors by her doting husband of 26 years, Mr. Cordell Weaver, who unconditionally loved her in sickness and in health; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to a selfless Mississippian such as Mrs. Parker-Weaver, whose ability to galvanize local, state and national attention to progressive causes and her ability to champion causes of humankind and justice "for the least of these" will be treasured and carried on for generations to come:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mrs. Stephanie Parker-Weaver and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Stephanie Parker-Weaver and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.