When you think of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the first thing that comes to mind is his legacy in civil rights activism. A pupil of the late Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson participated in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches and went on to work closely with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He later founded the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, continuing what would be a lifelong pursuit of social and economic justice. Of course, many also will recall his groundbreaking presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988. Together, these accomplishments made him one of the most influential activist voices of his time.
Yet what is less often highlighted is Jackson’s role as a father.
Married to Jacqueline Jackson since 1962, the couple raised five children, including daughters Santita and Jacqueline (“Jackie”). He also welcomed a daughter, Ashley, in 1999 with Karin Stanford, who worked with the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
Jackson’s children have forged impactful paths of their own while maintaining strong relationships with their father. His sons pursued careers in politics and public service. Specifically, regarding his daughters, Santita Jackson has built a career as a singer and radio host. Jacqueline Jackson (named after her mother) earned degrees in biology and cultural anthropology before completing a doctorate in International Educational Policy (so that’s Dr. Jackson!). Ashley Jackson has established herself as a writer, actress, and producer, and will be a staff writer on Netflix’s upcoming A Different World reboot.
As we reflect on the life and legacy of this great man, we also celebrate the more personal moments by sharing heartfelt images of Jackson with his daughters through the years. We knew him as a leader and activist, but they knew him simply as their dad.
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Jesse and his family (including daughters Santita and Jacqueline Jr.) during his presidential campaign in 1984
CHICAGO – 1984: (NO U.S. TABLOID SALES) Politician Jesse Jackson poses with his family during his 1984 presidential campaign in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)
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Jesse and his family at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in 1987
Reverend Jesse Jackson on stage with his family at the Apollo Theater in Harlem during a benefit honoring Jackson, expected to make an announcement concerning his presidential candidacy during Labor Day weekend. (Photo by Rick Maiman/Sygma via Getty Images)
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Jessie and Jacqueline with Michael Jackson at the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters Event in 1992
De gauche à droite : Le révérend Jesse Jackson, sa fille Jackie Jackson qui remet un prix à Michael Jackson lors du diner de l’association “Black Owned Broadcasters”. Etats-Unis, le 5 mars 1992. (Photo by Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma via Getty Images)
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Jesse and Jacqueline at the International Slavery Museum in 2007
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM – AUGUST 25: Reverend Jesse Jackson and his daughter Jacqueline tour the International Slavery Museum on August 25, 2007 in Liverpool, England. The Reverend is on a week long tour of the United Kingdom and is accompanied by his daughter. (Photo by Cate Gillon/Getty Images)
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Jesse and Jacqueline at the 2007 Trumpet Awards alongside Terrence Howard
Jesse Jackson with his daughter and Terrence Howard (Photo by Moses Robinson/WireImage)
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Jesse and Santita at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opening night gala in 2010
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 01: Jesse Jackson and Santita Jackson attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opening night gala benefit at the Hilton New York on December 1, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
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Santita, Jesse and wife Jaqueline at Hollyrod DesignCure in 2006
Santita Jackson, Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown (Photo by Matthew Simmons/WireImage)
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Jesse and daughter Santita at Rev. Jackson’s 66th Birthday Bash in 2007
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 08: Founder and President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. and daughter Santita Jackson attend the VIP Cocktail Reception hosted by Bombay Sapphire at Reverend Jesse Jackson’s 66th Birthday Bash at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 8, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Graves/WireImage)
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Jacqueline, Jesse and wife Jacqueline Sr. at the U.S. District Court in D.C. in 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 20: Rev. Jesse Jackson (2nd L) and his wife Jacqueline Lavinia Brown (2nd R) arrive at U.S. District Court for a hearing involving his son, former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., February 20, 2013 in Washington, DC. Jackson Jr. and his wife, Sandi Jackson, are expected to plead guilty to federal charges after being accused of spending more than $750,000 in campaign funds to purchase luxury items, memorabilia and other goods. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Ashley and Jesse at HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCare Gala in 2016
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – JULY 16: Ashley Laverne Jackson (L) and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson attend HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCare Gala on July 16, 2016 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for HollyRod Foundation)
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Ashley and Jesse at HollyRod Foundation’s 20th Annual DesignCare Gala in 2018
MALIBU, CA – JULY 14: Rev. Jesse Jackson and daughter Ashley Jackson attend The HollyRod Foundation’s 20th Annual DesignCare Gala at Private Residence on July 14, 2018 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images)
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Ashley and Jesse with Major, Mario Van Peebles and Morgana Van Peebles in 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 10: (L-R) Ashley Jackson, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Major, Mario Van Peebles and Morgana Van Peebles at the 2nd Annual Attorney Benjamin Crump Equal Justice Now Awards at Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles LAX/Century Boulevard on June 10, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Unique Nicole/Getty Images)
