RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Martha was a Puerto Rican-American Chicago native who dedicated her life to helping others in any capacity she could. She always strove to leave a positive impact on whatever/whomever she was working with. She was a strong, courageous and caring human being; and
WHEREAS, Martha Ramos came from a progressive family as the daughter of Daniel and Iris Ramos, sister to Analicia, Dulce, Mirca and Iris Ramos. Loving mother to Coraliris Echevarria and grandmother (AKA: Wela Mia) to Eliel and Leonel Soto. And finally, a lifetime companion with her true love, Rey Colon; and
WHEREAS, Martha's progressive shine began when she was elected President of her 8th grade class at Pulaski Casmir Academy, located in Bucktown, Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Martha was proud of her heritage, fluent in English & Spanish and was a leader in Chicago's Puerto Rican community. In her adolescence, she served as her father's (Daniel Ramos) right-hand man to help him manage his moving business and establish the Puerto Rican Parade Committee (PRPC); and
WHEREAS, Always working behind the scenes, Martha went on to help her father purchase the Puerto Rican Parade Committee building which was paid in full upon the completion of his term as President and ultimately; named after him; and
WHEREAS, Martha became the Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Parade Committee and organized the Puerto Rican Pride Parade and festival which continues to be an annual City of Chicago celebration; and
WHEREAS, Martha was named; Business Woman of the Year by the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce in 1989; and
WHEREAS, Martha managed the budget to actual process for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago's Corporate Office aiding 25 YMCA locations as Assistant to Director of Treasury, Program Services and Staff Development from 1991 to 1994; and
WHEREAS, Martha was a graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology where she earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Accounting and was elected DeVry Accounting Society President in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Martha was recruited to serve as Region Manager Assistant at the Chicago Park District from 1994 to 1997 where she conducted regular site visits teaching 72 Park Supervisors and over 400 staff best practices in community outreach. She managed numerous projects and special events for the Region Manager, Finance Manager and 5 Area Managers. Martha was awarded 1997 Chicago Park District P.R.I.D.E. Employee of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Martha supervised the final bankruptcy reclamation process at Montgomery Wards National Office from 1998 to 2000 where she managed $1.3 billion in payables and S60 million in receivable accounts while maintaining good relations with over 7,500 vendors at 300 locations; and
WHEREAS, Martha coordinated Transit Advertising and managed a $30 million budget in 24 international markets as the National Business Operations Manager for Obie Media Incorporated from 2001 to 2003; and
WHEREAS, Martha recruited corporate sponsors, community leaders and non-profit organizations to create the Boulevard Community Arts Network and produced the first Milwaukee Avenue Arts Festival from 2001 to 2006. It is a thriving annual event to this day; and
WHEREAS, After her father suffered a major stroke, Martha put aside her own career and ambitions to run his company "Ramos & Daughters Movers" named after his 5 daughters; and
WHEREAS, Martha served as Chief of Staff for 35* Ward Alderman Rey Colon from 2006 to 2015 providing outstanding city services. She loved turning complaints, problems and issues into solutions and often said it was the job she favored most due to the high volume of very demanding constituents; and
WHEREAS,Martha produced high-profile special events, public meetings, health fairs, recycling drop-offs and senior activities; and
WHEREAS, Martha was a crime fighter. In 2007 she received a Chicago City Council Bravery Recognition and 2007 Cook County Honorable Citizen Award for catching the Edgewater Slasher; and
WHEREAS, Martha was a trainer, a mentor and friend who challenged her team members to perform their duties with excellence; and
WHEREAS, Martha helped to resurrect Logan Square's business district along Milwaukee Avenue by planning with respective city department deputies, developers and property owners; and
WHEREAS, Martha created partnerships with city, state and federal government elected officials, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce and other institutions to acquire resources to benefit her community; and
WHEREAS, Martha was a public servant who went on to work at Chicago Public Schools, The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, the service offices of Chicago Alderman Milly Santiago and Cook County Commissioner Luis Arroyo, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, To her husband Rey, and to her children and grandchildren, Martha Ramos imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this tenth day of April, 2019, do hereby commemorate Martha Ramos for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of
Alderman, 35th Ward