JDCA mourns the passing of Rep. Louise Slaughter

JDCA mourns the heartbreaking loss of Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY), who passed away today from complications to a head injury. She was 88 years-old.

Congresswoman Slaughter represented the people of Western New York in the House of Representatives for 31 years. In 1987 she became the first woman in her district elected to Congress, and she was the first Democrat to win there at all since 1910. Ms. Slaughter quickly established herself as a leader in House. She co-authored the Violence Against Women Act, ensured hundreds of millions of dollars for breast cancer research, and became the first woman to be named chair of the House Committee on Rules.

We remember Louise Slaughter as a champion of gender equality and a fearless advocate for environmental protections, access to affordable healthcare, and improving the lives of all her constituents, regardless of their status or politics. A force of nature, Louise Slaughter will be missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones.

May she rest in peace. Baruch dayan ha’emet.