Queen Mother Rev. Helen Sinclair, prison Ministry at 103
By Naimah Latif
ON AIR Daily News
Born on July 14, 1920, in Arkansas, Rev. Helen Sinclair, known affectionately as “Queen Mother,” passed away at 103 just weeks shy of her 104th birthday.
Rev. Sinclair followed in the footsteps of her mother, Rev. Jessie W. “Ma” Houston, continuing the pn prison reform. Rev. Sinclair and her mother were active in the Civil Rights movement with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and headed the Rainbow PUSH Prison Ministry under Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
She served in the the Peace Corps in Malawi and Central Africaand made history as the first and only female chaplain in a male maximum-security prison in Illinois. Accompanied by her good friend, the late Founder of DuSable Museum of African American History Dr. Margaret Burroughs, she was a regular visitor to State Prisons, encouraging inmates to write poetry and produce art.
She was known for organizing art shows for inmates and bringing dignitaries to speak at prisons. Over the years he had an impact on the lives of more than 48,000 inmates, fighting for their dignity ad rights to a fair trial.
Rev. Sinclair was a lifelong member of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (C.M.E.). Her grandfather, “Doc” Woods, was a Founder of the Colored Methodist Church.
Rev. Helen Sinclair, named Queen Mother during one of her many trips to Africa, passed away after nearly 102 years of age, maintaining her mother's legacy of the Jesse "Ma' Houston Prison Outpost, working past age 100. Photo by John L. Alexander
She was an active member of organization the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Black on Black Love campaign, and Probation Challenge. She produced a show at Olive Harvy Community College for Cable TV.
She remained active even after reaching the 100 year mark, receiving awards and accolades for service.
She organized the yearly Christmas Day visits to Cook County Jail inmates, at which Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. always offered a motivational message and conducted voter registation.
Her Black History Month and Christmas programs at penal institutions, attracted notable figures like Mayor Harold Washington, Congressman Danny Davis, and Rev. Al Sharpton.
"Queen Mother" Rev. Helen Sinclair stands at the spot where her mother Jesse "Ma" Houston received a star on the Bronzeville Walk of Fame at 33rd and King Drive. Photo by John L. Alexander
Rev. Sinclair's mother, Rev. Jessie “Ma” Houston was known as the “Angel of Death Row” for her role in comforting prisoners facing execution. She received a star on the Bronzeville Walk of Fame at 33rd and King Drive. The Jesse Ma Houston Community Correctional Center and the park at 50th and Drexel was also named after Jesse “Ma” Houston.
Rev. Sinclair is remembered as one who continued the work and made a difference in the lives of the incarcerated. Funeral services for Rev. Helen Sinclair were held at Leak & Sons Funeral Homes in Chicago at 7838 S Cottage Grove, 10am, Friday, June 28, and the burial was at Lincoln Cemetery following services.