Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, longtime women's rights advocate, died on Friday from injuries sustained during a fall at her home last week. She was 88.
According to the Washington Post, Slaughter was the oldest current member of Congress and the first woman to chair the Rules Committee, which selects the bills to be considered by the full House.
The Post also reported Slaughter was the author of the 2012 Stock Act, meant to suppress insider trading among lawmakers and congressional aides, as well as a co-author of the Violence Against Women Act. The VAWA is meant to improve criminal justice response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Slaughter was an advocate for women's rights and women's health programs, and politicians across the aisle praised her work. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called Slaughter a "trailblazer" while Representative Pete Sessions said she "was a force to be reckoned with, who always brought her spunk, fire and dynamic leadership to every meeting."
House Speaker Paul Ryan also tweeted about Slaughter, writing, "@LouiseSlaughter was tough, unfailingly gracious, and unrelenting in fighting for her ideas. She was simply great. In her memory, I have ordered that the flags above the Capitol be lowered to half-staff."
Jamie Romeo, chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party, said she "was a living icon for women from all walks of life who wanted to get off the sidelines and make a positive change in their community."
Slaughter was also a microbiologist and a former jazz singer. She is survived by three daughters.
