U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones and lots of white male politicians.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first African-American woman to represent Ohio in Congress, is in critical condition after suffering an aneurysm last night.” She is said to have limited brain function.

Tubbs Jones has long been one of the region’s most recognizable politicians. Often clad in red — the color of her sorority Delta Sigma Theta — she is a regular at parades, senior centers and schools. Her annual Labor Day picnic at Luke Easter Park is a must-stop for any serious Democratic candidate running in the city, county or state. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

Tubbs Jones is 58 and has served five terms in Congress.

During those 5 terms Tubbs Jones

has been outspoken in her support of black candidates. She backed Raymond Pierce in his unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2001. Four years later, Tubbs Jones played a key role in helping Frank Jackson defeat Jane Campbell. She also stumped for countless black judicial candidates. [CPD]

We here at TakePart wish her family the best in what is no doubt a very troubling time.

takepart to get involved with the Cleveland chapter of the NAACP.

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