Jacqueline Jackson facts for kids

Jacqueline Lavinia "Jackie" Jackson (born March 7, 1944) is an American author and a dedicated activist for peace. She is married to the famous civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. She is known for being a very private person.

She wrote a book called Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray. The book is a collection of letters she wrote to her son, Jesse Jackson Jr., while he was away from home.

Early Life and Education

Jacqueline Lavinia Davis was born on March 7, 1944, in Fort Pierce, Florida. Her mother, Gertrude Davis, was a migrant worker. Jacqueline never met her father. When she was five, her mother married Julius Frances Brown Sr., who was in the U.S. Navy. The family then moved to Newport News, Virginia.

As a teenager, Jacqueline thought about becoming a nun but decided against it. She went to Huntington High School in West Virginia. After high school, she attended North Carolina A&T State University.

While in college, she was active in the civil rights movement, which worked to gain equal rights for African Americans. She even wrote a paper arguing that China should have a seat in the United Nations. She left college after her first child, Santita, was born.

Career as an Activist and Author

The Jackson family visits the grave of Mahatma Gandhi in India. Jacqueline is in the front on the right, next to her husband, Jesse Jackson.

Working for Peace

Jacqueline Jackson has traveled the world to promote peace and help others. In 1979, she went to Beirut, Lebanon, to speak with Palestinian leaders, including Yasser Arafat.

In 1984, Ebony magazine called her "an eloquent spokesperson for oppressed minorities." In 1985, she led a group of ten women to Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia. They were there to help with relief efforts during a major drought.

In 2001, she protested the United States Navy's bombing tests in Vieques, Puerto Rico. She and nine other activists were arrested for trespassing. She spent 10 days in jail to show how strongly she believed in her cause. For her courage, she received the Peace & Justice Award from the organization Rainbow/PUSH.

In May 2021, North Carolina A&T State University gave her an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. This was to honor her "lifetime of dedicated service."

Writing a Book of Letters

When her son, Jesse Jackson Jr., had to spend time away from his family, Jacqueline wrote him a letter every single day.

After he returned, she collected these letters into a book. It was called Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray. The book was published by Skyhorse Publishing. She and her son appeared on TV shows like CBS This Morning to talk about the book and their experiences.

Involvement in Politics

Jacqueline has also been active in politics. When her husband, Jesse Jackson, ran for president in 1984, she helped with his campaign. She gave speeches and helped raise money. During the campaign, she was known for her stylish designer clothes.

In the 2008 presidential election, she supported Hillary Clinton. She explained her choice on the radio show NPR. She said she believed Clinton was the best person to lead the country and to improve the image of women.

She said, "I know that women are the nucleus of every society, and whenever a society is failing... look at the way women are treated, and then you will see what the future holds for our children and that country."

Personal Life

Jacqueline met Jesse Jackson when they were both students at North Carolina A&T. They got married on December 31, 1962, at his parents' home.

Together, they have five children:

• Santita (born 1963)
• Jesse Jr. (born 1965)
• Jonathan Luther (born 1966)
• Yusef DuBois (born 1970)
• Jacqueline Lavinia (born 1975)

The family has a home on the South Side of Chicago.

In August 2021, both Jacqueline and her husband were hospitalized with COVID-19. She had not been vaccinated before getting sick. After she recovered, she encouraged everyone to get vaccinated and follow health guidelines to stay safe.