Civil rights leader Rev. Willie Barrow died early Thursday morning, Rev. Jesse Jackson said.
She was 90 years old.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce, our sister beloved, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Staff member and our partner of 50 years , Rev. #WillieTaplinBarrow has made her transition," Jackson posted in a message to Facebook.
His message continued:
"She was a woman of unusual courage and character. She was a freedom fighter. She fought in the tradition of #RosaParks and #FannieLouHamer. She was fearless. Death can have her frail body but not her good works and not our memories of her. We love you. Rest in peace.We will never forget you. More to come about the life of works of #RevWillieTaplinBarrow. RIP. Tell you children about her. Keep Hope Alive! Love you guys"
For decades, Barrow was on the front lines of the civil rights movement, working for the Rev. Martin Luther King, participating in 1963 March of Washington and in later years working to stem Chicago's gun violence.
She was the Chairperson Emeritus of Rainbow Operation PUSH. She was hospitalized last week for a blood clot in her lung.
