Mourners gathered at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19 to celebrate the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow.
Mourners arrive at Rainbow/PUSH to celebrate the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow, including Evelyn Garcia, who in her remarks at the service, described Barrow as someone who “spoke out fearlessly.”
Mourners gathered at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19 to celebrate the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow.
A mourner writes a message at the celebration of the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow, which took place at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition on March 19.
Mourners gathered at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19 to celebrate the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow.
Mourners gathered at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19 to celebrate the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow.
Father Michael Pfleger speaks at the memorial service for Rev. Willie T. Barrow’s at the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 19. Many civil rights leaders and elected officials were present.
Rev. Calvin Morris, former executive director of the Community Renewal Society, spoke of his 48-year friendship with Rev. Willie T. Barrow at the memorial service on March 19.
Attendees react to remarks made at the memorial service for Rev. Willie T. Barrow at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19.
The casket of Rev. Willie T. Barrow was present for the public to pay their respects at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on Thursday, March 19.
Many civil rights leaders and elected officials were present to celebrate the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow at the Rainbow/Push Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks at the memorial service for Rev. Willie T. Barrow at the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 19.
Mourners gathered at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19 to celebrate the life of Rev. Willie T. Barrow.
Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at the celebration of Rev. Willie T. Barrow’s life at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 19. He described Barrow as a servant of God, and lauded her “combination of faith and action.”
The choir performing at the memorial service for Rev. Willie T. Barrow at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side of Chicago on March 19.
Santita Jackson, daughter of Rev. Jesse Jackson, after her musical performance at the memorial service for Rev. Willie T. Barrow at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 19.
Rev. Jesse Jackson gave the eulogy at the memorial service for Rev. Willie T. Barrow at the Rainbow/ PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 19. He recounted his experience with the Chicago Freedom Movement and Operation Breadbasket, and said of Barrow, “[Willie] is Michael Brown. She is Trayvon … she is a freedom fighter.”
Hundreds gathered Thursday at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition headquarters on the South Side to celebrate the life of long-time civil rights leader Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow.
During the nighttime service, civil rights leaders, activists and politicians recalled Barrow’s vibrant personality and activism on behalf of African-Americans and other marginalized people in the United States and around the world.
Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel told the standing-room only crowd that the Texas-born Barrow found a place both in history and “in our hearts.”
Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., were among those who spoke fondly of their friendships and civil rights work with Barrow.
Barrow was a field organizer in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and helped form Operation Breadbasket in the 1960s. In 1984, she replaced Rev. Jackson as executive director of Operation PUSH. She crusaded for human rights in South Africa and the Middle East. Her work earned her the nickname, “the Little Warrior.”
Barrow, who died last week, was 90.
Funeral services are being held today at Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago. Burial will take place Saturday at Oak Woods Cemetery on the South Side.
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