The Reverend Jesse Jackson (1941 – 2026), a noted civil rights leader and activist, led a fierce campaign for equality. His legacy is equally defined by his work with Martin Luther King Jr. and by his operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) campaign to support diversity, equity and inclusion for underserved youth. An outspoken orator, he campaigned twice for president of the United States but was unsuccessful. Even so, Jackson’s voice remained significantly impactful across decades.
WWD stayed abreast of Jackson’s influence on industry and his many campaigns to balance the playing field, speaking with and quoting Jackson during the height of his career. He would also be included in “WWD: Black In Fashion: 100 Years of Style, Influence & Culture,” published in 2024.
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In recognition of his impact, below are 10 quotes taken from the pages of WWD during an interview conducted with Jesse Jackson in 1972, titled “Jesse PUSH-es for Progress”. The interview painted an early understanding of what would become his legacy.
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“I’m being born full-grown. The expectation put upon us is overwhelming,” Jessie speaking about operation PUSH.
“…the legal details, the hue and cry across the nation…it’s been rough. It’s been exciting. It hasn’t been dull.”
“The challenge of leadership is to offer straight support, to put it in perspective.”
“We’re trying to get a cross-section geographically as well as a cross-section of disciplines.”
“Politically, you have to be before you can belong. You have to intrarelate before you can interrelate. You have to interrelate before you have group unity.”
“The job of leadership is to unify. The next thing is to protect unity in organization.”
“The atmosphere I grew up in was one of rebellion, no matter how subtle. Dr. King was the center and guidepost…even though we did not know him personally, our attitudes were reflected in his work.”
“My greatest success has been to overcome odds — physical and social odds…I overcame odds.”
In closing, WWD remunerated on a core value embedded in his legacy — one equally sustained today.
Jackson values “love. That is the supreme good of the universe needed in your heart and home, on the job, in government, between nations. Nothing will destroy hate quite as fast as love.”