The Basic Education Coalition mourns its dear friend, colleague, and fierce basic education champion, former U.S. Representative Nita Lowey, who passed away yesterday (March 16th, 2025) at the age of 87.
Throughout her 32-year congressional career, she championed causes such as education initiatives federal AIDS funding, economic aid for developing nations, and women's healthcare. Among her many achievements, she was the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee and led USG investment in international basic education to increase tenfold, improving the lives of tens of millions of children around the world. She also authored the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act, which was signed into law in 2017 and established access to quality basic education in low- and middle- income countries as a key objective of U.S. foreign policy. The Basic Education directive was renamed in her honor and is now called the “Nita M. Lowey Basic Education Fund". Even when retiring in 2020, she vowed to continue to champion global education.
Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro praised Congresswoman Lowey as a “fierce negotiator and loyal public servant,” while Rep. Mike Lawler commended her bipartisan approach. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins remembers her as a “beacon of hope” and a model of integrity and honesty.
Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Congressional International Basic Education Caucus, emphasized:
“It has been an honor to serve in the House with Congresswoman Lowey and serve alongside her on the International Basic Education Caucus. Education is not only a critical issue here in the United States, but one of the most important initiatives that we pursue abroad. Supporting basic education supports international growth and strengthens the US’s standing around the world. No one understands this better than Congresswoman Lowey. Throughout her career she has prioritized education and led the way for so many of us who have come after her. Our responsibility now is to continue her mission in the years to come.”
Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) stated:
“I learned so much from Mrs. Lowey over the years….one of the issues that she brought to my attention is how important it is to invest in educating women and girls around the world. Improvements in basic education would not have been possible without Nita’s tireless efforts and insistence that funding was prioritized regardless of who was in the White House.”
A private funeral and burial will be followed by a memorial service at a later date. Her family described her as an “indefatigable fighter” who dedicated her life to public service.
Congresswoman Lowey will be sorely missed by the Basic Education Coalition, its members, and the entire international basic education community. We will carry on her legacy by continuing the fight for international basic education.