Senator Ted Kennedy, Champion of Equality, Dies at 77

Published August 26, 2009 @ 08:13AM PT

By now, you've heard the sad news - the United States has lost one of it's most passionate members of the Senate, Edward M. Kennedy. After more than a year's struggle with brain cancer, the 77 year-old politician died Tuesday night. He is survived by his wife, his three children and his two stepchildren.

From President Obama:

For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.

It's difficult to lose such a prolific force for good in politics - particularly as the country continues to struggle with the passage of Health Care reform, a major piece of important legislation for Senator Kennedy.

Kennedy was a champion of many critical and often controversial bills in his lifetime. He is credited with proposing Head Start as part of the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act, supporting Title IX equal access for women, increased student aid for GI's, increased minimum wage, championing the Family and Medical Leave Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the passage of hate crimes legislation.

Mike Jones over at the Change.org Gay Rights Blog shares the following quote from Senator Kennedy on equality, which he spoke about as a leading co-sponsor of the Senate 'Employment Non-Discrimination Act' (ENDA) :

"Ensuring equality for all Americans is the least we can do in living up to the standards of inclusion that this nation is built upon. There is no place for discriminating against any of our citizens for whatever reason and I commend my colleagues for their willingness to champion equal rights for every American."

It is my hope that with his death, we as a country realize how crucial health care reform is to this nation and move forward with it's passage, therefore allowing those who have no access to medical assistance to finally fulfill the promise of a healthy life - which will be one large step on the road to equal opportunity for many people, including women, children, and the poor.

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Comments (8)

Amen. Ted Kennedy did so much for women, children, the gay community, differently abled, race equality, and equality in every other area. We just lost a senator who actually did his job and represented every one of his constituents. RIP and God Speed to a happier place, Senator.

Posted by Romy Carver on 08/26/2009 @ 09:29AM PT
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Today is a very sad day for me indeed. Born in 1958, I witnessed Teddy Kennedy's career for many years. We lost a great champion today. Women, minorities, working class Americans, today we lost our most powerful and most experienced advocate. May his legacy never die and may Teddy forever rest in peace.

Can we get Caroline to run for his seat?

Posted by Mike Nichols on 08/26/2009 @ 09:34AM PT
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Sign the petition I created to end the Pay to Play tactics used in Washington. http://www.change.org/actions/view/end_the_pay_to_play_campaign_practices

And if you get a chance let me know what you think about my Progressive website!

http://www.leftofcenter44.com/

Posted by Aaron Norcia on 08/26/2009 @ 09:45AM PT
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Hi, Aaron, LOVED your website! Thanks to you and your wife for all your hard work. On this date in 1971, U.S. Congress designated August 26th as Women's Equality Day, due largely to the effort of Rep. Bella Abzug. Good one to add to your list.

I was so touched by your quotes and tributes to Sen. Kennedy. Thank you so much.

Posted by Romy Carver on 08/26/2009 @ 01:59PM PT
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You will be missed sir...

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 08/28/2009 @ 06:02PM PT
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I cannot join this jeremiad, as the purpose of those who financially promoted the “women’s movement” did so not to free women, rather to enslave them into the workforce, put their children into childcare and to weaken the important and necessary emotional bonds that hold people, among them husbands, wives and children, together. They used useful idiots like Kennedy to help them in this effort.

Posted by Richard Ortiz on 08/31/2009 @ 10:52AM PT
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Richard Oritz must be living in some kind of suspended animation, or he isn't really aware of what the facts are. If he were a woman and had always been on the hind tit, he might know how full of it he is.

Posted by Dodie Shepard on 08/31/2009 @ 04:26PM PT
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AMEN!

Posted by Romy Carver on 08/31/2009 @ 04:52PM PT
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Jen Nedeau is a social media consultant, progressive activist, feminist speaker and writer. She currently lives in New York City, where she works full-time as the Director of Digital Strategy at Air America Media. In August 2008, Nedeau was selected to be the Editor of the WomensRights.Change.Org where she facilitates daily discussion about the feminist movement. Additionally, Nedeau volunteers as the Chief Technology Officer for New Leaders Council, a non-profit that offers exclusive training for young leaders. You can follow her on Twitter @HumanFolly or learn more here: www.jennedeau.com.