Theres a lot of anxiety here. In 1981 Jordan moved into private law practice, joining the Washington, D.C., office of a Texas law firm in 1982 and quietly exerting his influence in corporate and political affairs for an increasingly elite clientele. Throughout Clintons two terms, Jordan was ever present, from offering sartorial counsel (he favored suits by Oxxford, shirts by Charvet) to hosting dinners for the Clintons on Marthas Vineyard. He was only a black student in the class at DePauw among 400 students and faced several difficulties which he discussed in an interview with Robert Penn Warren. "He was always there for @UNCF, for #HBCUs & Black college students. All rights reserved. Plus, Clinton didnt know if the two would mesh personally. On the day of his interview, Gore traveled in a Ford Bronco with tinted windows to secretly meet with Clinton at the Capitol Hilton. Vernon Jordan - Wikipedia [27][28], Jordan died at his home in Washington, D.C. on March 1, 2021, at the age of 85, and was buried in Washington DC's Oak Hill Cemetery. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. As Hillary herself. He is now a father to four children and a grandfather to nine kids. Jordans message resonated with Clinton at the very instant he was entertaining offers that would have given him financial security and less heartache. [34], Jordan also served as the narrator for American composer Joseph Schwantner's New Morning for the World: "Daybreak of Freedom," a collection of quotations from various speeches by Martin Luther King Jr.[37][38], National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, "Vernon Jordan, civil rights icon and former Clinton adviser, dies at 85", "Vernon Jordan: More than a 'First Friend', "Oral History Interview with Vernon E. Jordan, Jr, March 17, 1964, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries", "Notable brothers of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Inc", "Donald Lee Hollowell - A heroic presence in the Civil Rights Movement", "Vernon Jordan, Lawyer Who Helped Integrate UGA, Has Died", "Vernon Jordan, civil rights leader and adviser to Bill Clinton, dies aged 85", An Historical Look At the Impact of the United Negro College Fund and its Member Institutions on American History, "Vernon Jordan, Civil Rights Activist And Power Broker, Dies At 85", "Martha Coleman, the Shadowy Figure in the Vernon Jordan Case, Has Led a Troubled Life", "Racist Admits Sniper Attack On Rights Chief Vernon Jordan Franklin Was Acquitted In Trial 14 Years Ago But Now Admits It", "THE PRESIDENT UNDER FIRE: THE POWER BROKER; Jordan Trades Stories With Clinton, and Offers Counsel", "Vernon Jordan, civil rights leader and close ally of Bill Clinton, dies", "Washington: Request For Legal Fees Rejected", "Extent of Jordan's Help to Ex-Intern Was Unusual", "A look back at how Clinton's impeachment trial unfolded", "Jordan's 10 Board Positions Worth $1.1 Million", Vernon Jordan '57 Named John Kerry's Lead Debate Negotiator & Elected President of Economic Club of Washington, "A quarter-century of big names in business", "Vernon E. Jordan Jr. to Deliver Syracuse University's 2017 Commencement Address", "Vernon Jordan draws parallels between current political climate and civil rights era in 2017 commencement speech", "Vernon Jordan, Civil Rights Leader and D.C. Power Broker, Dies at 85", "Vickee S. Jordan And B. M. Adams To Marry in June", "Finsbury hires Wells Fargo's Vickee Jordan Adams as partner", "Vernon Jordan on Politics, Obama and Civil Rights", "New Morning for the World", Joseph Schwantner Works List, "Former Steering Committee Members | Bilderberg Meetings", "BARNARD AWARD FOR MRS. KIRKPATRICK FOUGHT", "Vernon Jordan, civil rights leader and ex-Clinton advisor, dead at 85", "Annette Gordon-Reed '84 to join the Harvard faculty", "Barbara Tober to be Honored at 8 Over 80 Gala", "Howard University Names Law Library in Honor of Civil Rights Activist Vernon Jordan", Ubben Lecture/Presidential Inauguration Address at DePauw University; October 29, 2016, Oral History Interview with Vernon E. Jordan, March 17, 1964. Jordan's first wife, Shirley Yarbrough, died in December 1985. He then continued to work for multiple civil rights organizations until the late 1980s. The short list exhausted, Clinton turned to his longer list. He and Clinton had worked closely together as governors, and they shared a passion for health care. His first wife died in 1985. After resigning from the National Urban League, he started working as legal counsel with Washington, D.C. Jordan enjoyed his favorite dinner and dessert, chocolate chip ice cream, before going to bed, as Walker said. The following year, he released an autobiography, Vernon Can Read! Is Vernon Jordan married? Information about her family will be provided as soon as it is available. Jordan, a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., went on to become president of the National Urban League from 1971 to 1981. I just took a deep breath and instead of being miserable, after that, it all began to sort of fall into place. Then came the golf course. He had recently seen factories close in his home state. [26], In May 2017, Jordan served as the commencement speaker at the 163rd commencement of Syracuse University. There was one problem, though: Bushs approval ratings, buoyant after the first Gulf War, still remained in the 70s. Ann also served as a director of Johnson & Johnson from 1981 to 2007. His daughter, Vickee Jordan, said he "passed away peacefully last evening surrounded by loved ones.". He received more than 55 honorary degrees, including ones from both of his alma maters, and sat on several boards of directors. In 1996, she also co-chaired President Bill Clintons inauguration committee. Vernon Jordan, a civil rights leader and close adviser to former President Bill Clinton, died Monday evening. [4] She co-chaired President Bill Clinton's Inauguration committee in 1996. Vernon called me and said I think you ought to go, Clinton said. That single exchange presaged thousands that would keep Clinton and Jordan engaged and entertained for the next four decades. Jordans daughter, Vickee Jordan, confirmed the death of her father and said he passed away peacefully last evening surrounded by loved ones. In a statement released to the public, she added, We appreciate all of the outpouring of love and affection. Jordan is survived by his second wife, Ann Dibble, five children, and nine grandchildren. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { He knew how ruthless the Bush political operation could be; he had seen campaign manager Lee Atwaters infamous and racist oppo-research smear, deployed four years before, against the Democrats Mike Dukakis. Greeting each other stiffly in suits and ties, they started talking at nine in the evening. With Bradley and Rockefeller nixed, Clinton directed Jordan to make one last call: to his friend Colin Powell, Bushs chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a hero of the Gulf War. }); }); Until Jordan was 13, the family lived in public housing. Amid the sea of onlookers at the front of the Capitol was a beaming Vernon Jordan. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. FIRST FRIENDS: The Powerful, Unsung (And Unelected) People Who Shaped Our Presidents, Jeffrey Epsteins Decades-Long Relationship. Jordan would later describe the announcement as one of the proudest moments of his life: being named the first person of color ever to serve in that position. His father's name is Vernon E. Jordan Sr and his mother's name is Mary . The History Makers - Biography of Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. New Georgia Encyclopedia - Biography of Vernon Jordan, Vernon E. Jordan, Jr. - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Expand 1 of 101 Betty. The start of Vernon Jordan's evening on May 28 didn't seem any different from the hundreds he spends on the road. Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now. Jordan is vice chairman and secretary of WETA-TV,[5] and an honorary trustee of the University of Chicago and The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.[6] She is the former chairman of the National Symphony Orchestra, and former trustee of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Halfway down the driveway, overcome, he turned off the engine and rested his head on the steering wheel. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), And that my epitaph had been written, Clinton recalled. But on that night, he was by himself in the upstairs residence. Vernon Jordan, civil rights activist and former President Clinton That is, until Jordan came down from New York to talk some sense into him. He was 85. He left his private law practice and started getting involved in activism in the field. Vernon Jordan paved the way for Black leaders in business and politics } He has been in the industry for the past many decades through Jordan has amassed both fame and popularity. let gads_event; But their easy rapport and love of the gameespecially in politics and sportstook the Clinton-Jordan friendship to another level. Jordan died. He survived a white supremacist's assassination attempt in 1980 but was wounded by gunshot. And I know its the best thing for me. . He needed someone with superior discretion and judgment to help guide the process. (written with Annette Gordon-Reed), in 2001. Each time an aide reminded the governor of the time, he would be shooed away. Newsweek, in 1998, would note: Asked at a party earlier this year what it was he and Clinton talk about on the golf course, Jordan slyly replied: We talk pu--y. Time reported the same anecdote, but did away with all the letters except p.. eventAction: 'click_adunit' [15] Joseph Paul Franklin was acquitted in 1982 of charges of attempted murder. This means that the couple has already enjoyed over three decades of their conjugal life. She was formerly known as Ann Cook. And then, in January 2001, the presidents storiesat least while he was serving as commander in chiefwould come to an end. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} He was 85. Jordan himself acknowledged that fact. Jordan, Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and her husband, Marc Mezvinsky, at Hillary Clintons first presidential debate with Donald Trump, at Hofstra University, September 26, 2016. He didnt hold me responsible. Here I am, he remembered thinking, the son of a postman who grew up in the first public housing project in the country for African Americans, and Ive just spent the last six hours sharing everything with the most powerful man on the planet. Tears started to stream down his face. In the early 1990s, he became a close ally and friend of Bill Clinton and he served as part of Clinton's transition team. Wife of Vernon Jordan Dies - The New York Times But he. Even when he got me to do something I absolutely didnt want to do, he could make me feel like he had my back. When Jordan played the friend card, Clinton knew he had lost the argument. He died peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and family, Jordan's niece Ann Walker told CNN. He could see GOP forces gathering to oppose him; he was especially aware of the ascendance of a young Georgia congressman named Newt Gingrich, who would become Speaker of the House. Whoopi Goldberg interrupts 'The View' live segment, raises her voice and hits co-host, Baywatch star Jeremy Jacksons ex-wife Loni Willison spotted looking for food in LA waste, 'Liza took a final breath and sighed': Liza Burke, 21, dies 6 weeks after stage 4 cancer diagnosis, 'Go for a size bigger': Honey Boo Boo slammed for flaunting 'tight' prom dress with boyfriend Dralin Carswell. Whenever a key decision had to be made, aides would receive the same instruction: Call Vernon. And Vernon was indeed called, countless times, and asked to share his views on everything from the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy, which allowed gay soldiers to serve in the military so long as their sexual identity remained hidden (Jordan supported the plan), to his reluctant endorsement of appointing of an independent counsel to investigate the Whitewater scandal (the worst decision of my presidency, Clinton rued 25 years later). Vernon Jordan was getting ready for dinner on a Saturday night when he received an impromptu call: Can you come over for dinner tonight? Jordan, mindful of Clintons ambitions, believed he needed some international exposure and foreign policy gravitas to become a more credible candidateespecially if he were to face off against the seasoned George H. W. Bush. eventAction: 'click_ads' Lyndon B. Johnsons civil rights conference. He worked for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as the Georgia field director. Her husband, Vernon had previously been married to Shirley Yarbrough who died in 1985. My name became public 25 years ago this week. Said Clinton, I knew Vernon was respected enough, wise enough, and tough enough., Like the lawyer he was, Jordan had come ready with his rebuttal. Jordan had five operations and was visited by President Jimmy Carter during his three-month recovery in the hospital. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Vernon Eulion Jordan Jr., was born in Atlanta on Aug. 15, 1935, the second of Vernon and Mary Belle Jordan's three sons. We had a heck of a crowd there and he was a big star. Its too bad they ran out of fabric before they finished it. And so began Bill Clintons closest adult friendshipfittingly, in laughter, and not surprisingly about women, which would become a frequent topic of conversation. Clinton knew that when his friend offered an opinion, he wasnt just providing a consiglieres judgment but a distillation of all the intelligence he had synthesized from his vast network. We worked and played, laughed and cried, won and lost together. It was clear that he had a deep, caring concern about race, and so there was an immediate affinity. And Clinton saw in Jordan those same beliefs, along with the political acumen and infectious personality to advance Black interests across all aspects of American life. "The nation has lost one of its greatest champions of racial and economic justice," he said in a statement. At DePauw, Jordan participated in the student senate . "She is my best friend in the world," Jordan added. Jordan also secured a job at Revlon for Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern whose affair with Clinton spawned a scandal. Although Jordan held no official role in the Clinton White House, he was highly influential and had such labels as the first friend. He approached Colin Powell about becoming secretary of state and encouraged Clinton to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993. Jordan is now the grandfather of nine grandchildren. It was one of the most wonderful times of my life, Clinton said, because I realized that he realized that I did not intentionally get him in the middle of all that impeachment stuff. He worked as Bill Clinton's close adviser. But he is downright effusive when it comes to his wife of 10 years. On July 6, Clinton placed a call to Gore and offered him a place on the ticket. Jordan also worked as director of social services of Chicago Lying-in Hospital from 1970 to 1985, and director of the Department of Social Services for the University of Chicago Medical Center from 1986 to 1987. He also knew that saying no to his best friend could complicate a relationship he treasured: There was no way to know, Jordan remembered thinking, where my decision might take our friendship., He took a few moments before he answered Clinton. It was also a chance for leaders from both sides of the Atlantic to see and be seen. Vernon Jordan dead: Civil rights activist advised President Clinton Joseph Paul Franklin, the avowed white supremacist who targeted Blacks and Jews in a cross-country killing spree from 1977 to 1980, later admitted to shooting Jordan. Back in 1988, New York Times reported she is a communications training specialist at the Burson-Marsteller public relations firm in New York. Lawyer and Washington power broker Vernon Jordan was born on August 15, 1935, in Atlanta. Finally Jordan spoke. He is a friend as well as a political advisor to Bill Clinton. Clinton remembered it as an evening he could finally feel a measure of peace after subjecting his best friend to the hell of his impeachment mess. "In 2001, Jordan received the NAACP's Spingarn Medal for a lifetime of social justice activism.
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