WHEREAS, On Sunday, June 10, 2018, friends and family of Evelyn Burton Dixon Byrdsong, influential leader and mentor in the City of Chicago, celebrated the joyful occasion of her 80th birthday at Calvary Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, The members of the City Council of the City of Chicago have been informed of this special occasion by the Honorable Michelle Harris, Alderman of the 8th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn grew up in Louisiana and attended Oak Hill Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School. She graduated from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she studied nutrition. She completed a dietetic internship at John H. Stroger Hospital and later earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Human Services from Governor's State University; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, Evelyn was hired at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) where she was an essential employee as she supervised several key offices, programs and initiatives. Her work was tirelessly fueled by her passion to assist the disenfranchised citizens of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Evelyn officially retired from IDHS in 1998 after thirty-five years of loyal service; and
WHEREAS, After her retirement, Evelyn has continued her lifelong commitment to serve the disadvantaged. She has spent fifty years as an active member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Additionally, she was an officer on the Board of Directors of the Community Mental Health Council where she organized "The Community Ministers Alliance," a group created to improve the quality of life through holistic intervention; and
WHEREAS, She also was President of Zeta Tau Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and has been an active member of the Southern University Alumni Association, the National Association of University Women, the South Chicago Advisory Board and her neighborhood block club; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to her community with several awards including the prestigious "Woman of Excellence" Black Pearl Award presented by Connections, Inc., for her visionary efforts in community service; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn is the definition of a natural born leader as she understands the value in listening to the suggestions and concerns of others. She excels at motivating others, commits to solving problems and makes timely and impactful decisions. Not only is she honest and assertive while always being compassionate, but she is also known for slipping friends and loved ones heartfelt poems, a true reflection of her loving nature; and
WHEREAS, When Evelyn is not serving her community, she enjoys spending time with her two adult children, Antoinette and Anthony Jr., and her five grandchildren. She is undoubtedly a special person to many and deserves to be recognized and celebrated; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-seventh day of June, 2018, do hereby commend and honor Evelyn Burton Dixon Byrdsong for the dedication she has shown to her family, colleagues, friends and fellow community members. We congratulate Evelyn on her 80th birthday and extend our very best wishes for many more birthdays.
BE IT RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Evelyn Byrdsong.
MICHELLE A. HARRIS Alderman, 8th Ward