Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Often we spend a lot of time looking at, admiring and talking about people who are famous entertainers and athletes. And there is nothing wrong with that. I mean, I am an entertainer and part of my job is to remain in the public eye. But what concerns me is that we don't have an equal interest in or knowledge of lower profile but more important and powerful people.

Yesterday, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died. She was the first black congresswoman from Ohio. She was the Chairwoman of the House Ethic Committee. She was on the very powerful Ways and Means Committee (those are the people in Washington that do the nuts and bolts of who should get federal money). She first became a judge at 31.

She was my friend. She introduced me to and later performed the wedding ceremony for my husband and me.

If you have a moment today Google her. Just so you know what we lost.