Photo: ABC7 Eyewitness News

The Global Campaign for Education-US (GCE-US) celebrates the life of former Rep. Nita Lowey, who passed away on March 15, 2025. A trailblazing leader and tireless advocate for education, women, and families, Chairwoman Lowey served the Hudson Valley of New York for an extraordinary 32 years and made history as the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee. 

“Throughout her distinguished career, Chairwoman Lowey championed access to quality education, both in the United States and globally,” said Giulia McPherson, Executive Director, GCE-US. “Her unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, had the opportunity to learn and thrive, has left an indelible mark on the world. Her leadership and vision have transformed lives and communities, and her legacy will continue to guide us in our mission.” 

Among her many achievements, Chairwoman Lowey led international education funding increases and authored the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act, which was signed into law in 2017 and established access to quality basic education in developing countries as a key objective of U.S. foreign policy. 

In October 2020, GCE-US and partners from the global education community honored Chairwoman Lowey and her legacy prior to her retirement from the U.S. Congress during a virtual celebration. She was touched and honored by the event and promised to continue championing global education. And so she did.  

Most recently Chairwoman Lowey supported efforts to reauthorize the READ Act, stating “It was my honor to champion the bipartisan READ Act when I was in Congress. I hope my friends and former colleagues will carry on our great work by reauthorizing the READ Act.” The READ Act Reauthorization Act passed in December 2024. 

Beloved by her staff, Chairwoman Lowey will be deeply missed. “Millions of children around the world have attended school because they had an unsung champion in Washington,” said Marin Stein, Director for Partnerships & Advocacy for GCE-US Member World Learning and former foreign policy advisor and Appropriations Committee staff member to Chairwoman Lowey. “Chairwoman Lowey cared and was caring. She was steadfast in fighting for her passions, chief among them was the READ Act, which made it U.S. foreign policy to focus on children's education. She was a changemaker by tirelessly working for 32 years in Congress to change things for the better.”  

We extend our deepest condolences to Chairwoman Lowey’s family, friends, and all who were touched by her remarkable life. Her memory will forever be a source of inspiration as we continue the work she so passionately believed in.