Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Congresswoman and Member of the Iranian Women’s Group in Congress, Passes Away

Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas, who led federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and helped recognize June 19 as a public holiday for the abolition of slavery in America, has passed away. According to the Associated Press, Lily Conley, Ms. Jackson Lee's chief of staff, confirmed that the U.S. Congresswoman, who was suffering from pancreatic cancer, died on Friday night, July 29, in Houston, surrounded by her family. Sheila Jackson Lee had been a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 1995. She previously had breast cancer and announced her pancreatic cancer diagnosis about seven weeks ago. She was a member of a bipartisan group in the U.S. Congress that condemned the Islamic Republic for the poisoning of school students, especially girls' schools. In this context, Sheila Jackson Lee had announced the formation of the Iranian Women’s Group in the U.S. Congress, with the support of nearly 20 Republican and Democratic representatives. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democratic representative, stated that all American hostages from Iran must be freed. Two American lawmakers called for the return of Americans imprisoned abroad. The meeting of the Iranian Women’s parliamentary group in the U.S. Congress: People are calling for change.