As a titan of the Civil Rights Movement and a tireless advocate for political empowerment, Rev. Jesse Jackson has paved the way for generations of Black elected officials. His "Rainbow Coalition" vision and historic presidential campaigns redefined what was possible for Black leadership in America. We honor his lifetime of service and his enduring call to "Keep Hope Alive."

A Life Dedicated to Justice

From his early days as an aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to his founding of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Rev. Jackson has been on the front lines of every major battle for racial and economic justice. His work instrumental in opening the doors of corporate America to Black potential and in freeing Americans held hostage abroad demonstrates the breadth of his impact.

Breaking Political Barriers

Rev. Jackson's 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns were watershed moments in American history. They registered millions of new voters, built a multiracial coalition of the dispossessed, and laid the electoral groundwork that would eventually lead to the election of President Barack Obama. For NOBEL Women, his legacy is a reminder that political power is a tool for liberation.