Dr. Espanola Jackson
May her soul rest in peace
Dr. Espanola Jackson has transitioned to place where she will rest in peace - free from the trials and tribulations on this Earth.
The pain, the tensions of the time, stress and more - the many hurdles - that frail human beings - endure - she will rest in peace.
In transitioning she has left a legacy - that thousands know about - and she will be remembered - as a woman warrior - a mentor - an advocate - and most of all as a Mother who loved everyone.
Fortitude reigned in the life of Dr. Espanola Jackson who loved her community - often addressing seasoned and not so seasoned politicians -" baby ".
She loved San Franciscans - even as she loved all of San Francisco.
Many of these politicians and others - at SF City Hall - openly stated in their humble comments - that term " baby" - when she addressed them - was not condescending - that they accepted it as a compliment.
More, an affectionate term - that they treasured and accepted - praising Dr. Espanola Jackson - for her well left legacy and sincere love for all human beings.
Two services will be held for Dr. Espanola Jackson one at Grace Tabernacle Church - on Thursday - February 4, 2016 - located at 1211 Oakdale Street - corner of Ingalls and Oakdale in the Bayview - this Community Service - will be from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
May her soul rest in peace.
A second service will be held on February 5, 2016 - at 12 noon - at Providence Baptist Church - situated at 1601 McKinnon Street off Third Street. This will be her Home Going Service.
More and more as days turn to weeks - weeks turn to months, and months turn to years - we witness - our elders.
Those advocates who spent - 30, 40 50 years - as advocates on the front lines - pass away - most of them - leaving a legacy - that will be remembered for years to come.
It is eye opening to witness - how people - especially sordid politicians talk about advocates - after they have transitioned.
I am a witness to the hundreds of hours - Dr. Espanola Jackson spent - on the front lines.
I accompanied her and often proceed after she spoke - on the many issues - pressing issues of the day - addressing in general - Quality of Life- issues.
As you can imagine my heart is heavy - but, some how I feel she is by my side.
There is a lot of work to do - the advocates today - do not have the patience of the more seasoned advocates - they want instant - results. Time will tell.
On issues linked to single mothers, food distribution to the poor, our children and their welfare, all welfare matters in general, environmental issues, health issues, transportation issues - Dr. Espanola Jackson - addressed them with diligence and a heart.
Safety issues, educational issues - in short all issues that matter - Dr. Espanola Jackson was on the front lines - speaking her mind - and astounding those that could not speak from the heart - others, in power who looked at these human issues - in a nonchalant manner.
People in authority - more in Sacramento - who listened to her pleas - often worked with Dr. Espanola Jackson to make good things happen.
Dr. Espanola Jackson was on the Task Force - linked to the Sewer System Improvement Project. She fought that 5% of the $6 Billion should be set aside for Community Benefits. Some $300 million.
It hurt her to see some San Francisco Public Utilities employees exploit the situation - send over $200, 000 to Green For All - to the East Bay - without proper vetting.
Even today the SF Public Utilities Commission - keeps - faltering, and hoodwinking the public at large.
Many Governors of California, many Mayors of San Francisco, many Senators and Congress person - knew Dr. Espanola Jackson in person.
The proclamations and commendations were many - and even as she is being remembered - now - having transitioned in peace - more commendations and proclamations - will honor Dr. Espanola Jackson after her demise.
May she rest in peace.
Frankly, Dr. Espanola Jackson would shed tears - when she found out some child needed help.
Some one was in prison and needed help.
Some mother found it difficult to meet the funeral expenses.
Some one - some stranger she met - needed some urgent help.
Mother Espanola Jackson as many called her - had a large heart.
She would call me in distress - and order me to do it - do it "baby" for me.
Now, those orders would come - when I was in the midst of some meeting - some ongoing project - not once did I say no.
You just could not say NO - that voice was unique and the passion behind the voice - disarming.
Behind the scene she would pray - and it is this unseen force that would spur me to do the what she requested me to do - and most of the tasks - happened - and happened smoothly.
When I was at the Presidio of San Francisco - she suggested - we have a Black History Month celebration - the date was set aside - but no plan celebration had been in the offing.
" Honey" you can make it happen - I know you can ".
I had three days to make it happen - and it happened - the turn out was excellent and Dr. Espanola Jackson bought her friends - at the event held at the Officer Club - now the Golden Gate Club - at the Presidio of San Francisco - moving from person to person and touching those present.
It was the same with certain things that had to be done with the First People of San Francisco - the Muwekma Ohlone - she was a card carrying member of the Muwekma Ohlone.
Dr. Espanola Jackson had a soft corner for the Native Americans in general - and encouraged me to do my best to help those tribes be they the Miwoks, the Pomos, the Piutes - other local tribes.
Native American tribes from all over the United States - that have made the Bay Area and the surrounding area their home.
Many of them given a one way ticket to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland - other far off places - a brother sent to one city - a sister to another - the family spilt - and this fact bothered Dr. Espanola Jackson - she deemed it fit to help the Native Americans and others.
Many folks - from all over the world - who participated in the Shellmound Walks - to honor the ancestors. Together we did what was possible - working with the organizers and trying our best to respect and honor the ancestors.
You would not know that Dr. Espanola Jackson was involved in so many issues - including Clean Solar, career jobs for our youth, being on Boards like the Southeast Community Facility Commission Building at 1800 Oakdale - as founder Board Member.
Matters linked to State University and City College - she personally spent hours on end - speaking up - and making good things happen - on that front - sound education for all.
Dr. Espanola Jackson touched thousands - and they are now - speaking up - and doing what they learned - and representing - honoring their - mentor.
We two were friends - but knowing Dr. Espanola Jackson - she had a mind of her own.
In our discussion - we often had to debate - and she loved a good debate - and never kept a grudge - even if you had to tell her - she was wrong.
If she loved you - she really meant it - and stood by you - through thick and thin.
She went to battle - and saw to it that - she won - or at least fought so well - that those on the opposite side - had great regard for her tenacity and fortitude - that is what Dr. Espanola Jackson - brought to the table.
We travelled all over - the many meetings to Sacramento and Folsom to shut down the Mirant Power Plant and the Hunters Point Power Plant.
Fought hard to stop the 3 Combustion Turbines - that the SF Public Utilities Commission - wanted placed - closer to the Mirant Plant using fossil fuel.
It would take a lot of writing - this article would run into many pages - to enumerate - the many achievements of Dr. Espanola Jackson - let it be known - she has left a legacy.
May her soul of Dr. Espanola Jackson - rest in peace.
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