Jolie Christine Rickman
Encyclopedia
Jolie Christine Rickman was an American feminist, humanitarian, and social activist born in Los Angeles, California. As a musician
, she released three full-length recordings independently and was renowned for performing songs which were polemic
s against homophobia
, racism
and conservatism
.
She shared stages with Pete Seeger
and Tom Paxton
.
and was pronounced legally blind by the time she was eleven years old. In 1988, she graduated with honors from Richards High School in Oak Lawn. Four years later, she graduated summa cum laude with a Political Science
degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
(UIUC).
’s Alternative Spring Break program, which, to this day, continues to connect young people with important nation-wide social justice issues. She later earned a graduate degree from the department of Peace Studies at Syracuse University
.
As a result of an internship with The King Center in Atlanta, Rickman worked with Coretta Scott King
and cited the experience as her primary source of inspiration to perform music.
In 2001, she became Chapter Coordinator for CISPES in New York City
. During her tenure, she initiated a Spanish Camp for Activists, an alternative Fourth of July weekend immersion in language and Latin American issues, and the People’s Referendum on Free Trade. The latter was responsible for recruiting members of the community into the struggle for economic fairness and equity.
nationally-syndicated radio and tv show Rickman was once an interm music coordinator for — played an excerpt of "Romero" off the 1999 CD Sing It Down. The song is a musical rendition of a homily
from Archbishop Oscar Romero
, given the day before he was assassinated. The CD — with fellow singer-songwriter Colleen Kattau — was part of a collaborative, multi-media educational project created by Rickman, Kattau, Jolie's long-time partner Bill Mazza, and activist/speakers Ed Kinane and Ann Tiffany, to demand the closing of the US Army's School of the Americas.
Since her passing, many of Rickman's songs continue to be performed and recorded by other artists. Notable recordings include "La La La" by Pamela Means on "The Jazz Project" (2006), "Woman Nation" by Colleen Kattau on "Inhabited Woman (2007), "Romero" by Charlie King and Karen Brandow on "Higher Ground" (2008), and "Out of Air" by Ember Swift on "11:11" (2012).
In a heroic act of creative love and in fitting tribute, Jacque Rickman (Rickman's mother), arranged to inter Jolie's ashes at historic Waldheim Cemetery (Forrest Home) in Chicago, Illinois directly across a path from both the Haymarket Martyrs Monument and the resting place of Emma Goldman, one of Jolie's heroes and inspirations.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, she released three full-length recordings independently and was renowned for performing songs which were polemic
Polemic
A polemic is a variety of arguments or controversies made against one opinion, doctrine, or person. Other variations of argument are debate and discussion...
s against homophobia
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
, racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and conservatism
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
.
She shared stages with Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
and Tom Paxton
Tom Paxton
Thomas Richard Paxton is an American folk singer and singer-songwriter who has been writing, performing and recording music for over forty years...
.
Background
Rickman's story is filled with instances of overcoming obstacles. She suffered juvenile onset macular degenerationMacular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is a medical condition which usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults...
and was pronounced legally blind by the time she was eleven years old. In 1988, she graduated with honors from Richards High School in Oak Lawn. Four years later, she graduated summa cum laude with a Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
(UIUC).
Activism
During her stint at UIUC, Rickman took part in many politically progressive efforts, including the movement that launched the University YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
’s Alternative Spring Break program, which, to this day, continues to connect young people with important nation-wide social justice issues. She later earned a graduate degree from the department of Peace Studies at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
.
As a result of an internship with The King Center in Atlanta, Rickman worked with Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King was an American author, activist, and civil rights leader. The widow of Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King helped lead the African-American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.Mrs...
and cited the experience as her primary source of inspiration to perform music.
In 2001, she became Chapter Coordinator for CISPES in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During her tenure, she initiated a Spanish Camp for Activists, an alternative Fourth of July weekend immersion in language and Latin American issues, and the People’s Referendum on Free Trade. The latter was responsible for recruiting members of the community into the struggle for economic fairness and equity.
Legacy
Rickman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004 and spent most of that year at her Brooklyn, NY home or in treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City, until her passing in January of 2005. In her memory, Democracy Now — the Pacifica RadioPacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
nationally-syndicated radio and tv show Rickman was once an interm music coordinator for — played an excerpt of "Romero" off the 1999 CD Sing It Down. The song is a musical rendition of a homily
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
from Archbishop Oscar Romero
Óscar Romero
Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was a bishop of the Catholic Church in El Salvador. He became the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador, succeeding Luis Chávez. He was assassinated on 24 March 1980....
, given the day before he was assassinated. The CD — with fellow singer-songwriter Colleen Kattau — was part of a collaborative, multi-media educational project created by Rickman, Kattau, Jolie's long-time partner Bill Mazza, and activist/speakers Ed Kinane and Ann Tiffany, to demand the closing of the US Army's School of the Americas.
Since her passing, many of Rickman's songs continue to be performed and recorded by other artists. Notable recordings include "La La La" by Pamela Means on "The Jazz Project" (2006), "Woman Nation" by Colleen Kattau on "Inhabited Woman (2007), "Romero" by Charlie King and Karen Brandow on "Higher Ground" (2008), and "Out of Air" by Ember Swift on "11:11" (2012).
In a heroic act of creative love and in fitting tribute, Jacque Rickman (Rickman's mother), arranged to inter Jolie's ashes at historic Waldheim Cemetery (Forrest Home) in Chicago, Illinois directly across a path from both the Haymarket Martyrs Monument and the resting place of Emma Goldman, one of Jolie's heroes and inspirations.
Discography
- Sublime Detonation (1998)
- Sing It Down (1999)
- Suffer To Be Beautiful (2000)