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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 25
BY SENATOR JACKSON
A RESOLUTION
To commend Karen Eubanks Jackson, Founder & CEO of Sisters Network, Inc., for her
efforts in education and support of African American women diagnosed with breast
cancer.
WHEREAS, Sisters Network, Inc., (SNI) is hosting the 12th National African
American Breast Cancer Conference, May 13-15 in Baton Rouge which will host focus
group sessions and workshops specifically for young survivors; and
WHEREAS, younger African American women are being diagnosed with breast
cancer and in an effort to address the needs of these women, SNI is launching Young Sisters
Initiative, a program designed to reach women diagnosed with breast cancer at age forty-five
and under; and
WHEREAS, Karen Eubanks Jackson is Founder & CEO of SNI, the nation's only
African American breast cancer survivorship organization that addresses the needs particular
to African American women; and
WHEREAS, she is a sixteen year breast cancer survivor who turned a personal
challenge into an organization that provides standardized educational programs, support,
empowerment, hope, and financial assistance to African American women diagnosed with
breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, during her personal fight to survive breast cancer, she recognized a lack
of "sisterhood" in traditional organizations, a staggering breast cancer mortality rate for
African Americans, and limited culturally sensitive material; and
WHEREAS, in 1994, Karen Eubanks Jackson founded SNI in order to ensure that
African American women diagnosed with breast cancer receive comprehensive medical care
and social support; and SR NO. 25 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, her primary motivation was to break through the silence and shame of
breast cancer that immobilizes African American women, restricts their ability to receive
support services, interferes with early detection, and ultimately affects their survival rates;
and
WHEREAS, under Karen Eubanks Jackson's leadership, SNI has experienced
phenomenal growth resulting in over 43 survivor-run affiliate chapters, serving more than
3000 members and associate members nationwide; and
WHEREAS, in addition, she has developed several national outreach initiatives,
including The Gift for Life Block Walk, the Pink Ribbon Awareness Initiative; and
WHEREAS, Karen Eubanks Jackson recognized the African American community's
historical difficulty discussing cancer and other health concerns and created a national
branding campaign: STOP THE SILENCE which was used on billboards and bumper
stickers consisting of the slogan "STOP THE SILENCE- Changing the Face of Early Breast
Health Intervention" and also provided educational outreach and awareness to African
American women between the ages of 25 and 45, with the program being funded by the
Department of Health & Human Services, office of minority health; and
WHEREAS, she is a widely recognized minority breast health advocate, a highly
sought-after speaker and expert on the African American women's breast cancer experience,
who has traveled nationally and internationally, bringing her message to the United States
Army's Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center in Germany, the National Congressional Black
Caucus and the Centers for Disease Control, as well as other organizations; and
WHEREAS, Karen Eubanks Jackson has been featured in numerous national
newspapers, magazines, television, radio programs, and Internet media outlets; and
WHEREAS, she is a published co-author of several works; and
WHEREAS, Karen Eubanks Jackson's achievements have been recognized as she
has been the recipient of the TNT Dramatic Difference Award; Breast Cancer Hero by
Lifetime TV, JC Penney "Champion of Change", The Jefferson Award-ABC and the Lance
Armstrong "Voice of Survivorship" Award; and
WHEREAS, she serves on numerous local and national committees, including the
Center for Research on Minority Health, Cancer Support Community, Cancer Alliance of SR NO. 25 ENROLLED
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Texas; is a member of the American Society of Breast Disease; and formerly served on
committees such as the National Breast Cancer Coalition Board of Directors, the Susan G.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's African American National Advisory Committee and
the American Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, she attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, pursuing
a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and earned certifications in the area of Breast Health
Education from several organizations; and
WHEREAS, Karen Eubanks Jackson continues to make a difference and lives by the
Sisters Network, Inc., national creed - "In Unity there is Strength, In Strength there is Power,
In Power there is Change."
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Karen Eubanks Jackson, Founder & CEO of Sister Network, Inc., for
her efforts in education and support for African American women diagnosed with breast
cancer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Karen Eubanks Jackson.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE