RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Marva Collins has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 78; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Marva Collins was a renowned Chicago educator and the loving wife for 26 years of the late Clarence; and
WHEREAS, Born in Alabama, Marva Collins graduated from Clark College and moved to Chicago where she eventually entered the field of education; and
WHEREAS, After becoming frustrated while teaching at Delano Elementary School, Marva Collins decided to cash in her $5,000 pension and branch out on her own; and
WHEREAS, In 1975 Marva Collins founded Westside Preparatory School in Garfield Park which became nationally known for is highly successful teaching techniques that turned inner-city youths into academic achievers; and
WHEREAS, In 1981 Marva Collins was the subject of the made-for-television movie, The Marva Collins Story, which starred Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman; and
WHEREAS, By 1991 Marva Collins was training 1,000 teachers annually in her approach that instilled both a love of learning and the ability to think critically in her students; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Marva Collins serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Marva Collins was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To her two sons, Patrick and Eric, her mother, Bessie Mae, and her sister, Cynthia, Marva Collins 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 twenty-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby commemorate Marva Collins 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 Marva Collins.