Chicago City Council Resolution Celebrating the 100th Birthday of 8th Ward
Chicago Resident Laura Miller-Nickerson
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom and judgment continues to show favor by granting the timeless gifts of love, joy and longevity to a beloved, longtime 8th Ward resident, a faithful woman of God and dedicated community service, who on the afternoon of Saturday, July 28, 2018 will be honored by her loving family, church members and friends as she celebrates her 100th Centennial birthday; and
WHEREAS, the family of the honoree, Mrs. Laura Nickerson have informed 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris about the upcoming celebration of the 100th birthday of their beloved matriarch, Mrs. Laura Nickerson, which will occur on July 30, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Michelle A. Harris, and on behalf of the residents 8th Ward & her fellow colleagues of the Chicago City Council have informed this august body of this significant upcoming Centennial birthday celebration honoring Mrs. Nickerson; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Laura Miller Nickerson was born to into the loving union of her parents Florence Britton-Miller and Charlie Miller, on July 30,1918 in Gulfport Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Laura had three sisters who have predeceased her: Bessie William, Janie Mabley and Thelma Gilland, as well as one deceased brother Johnny B Miller; and
WHEREAS, Laura Miller Nickerson was always an energetic, inquisitive and forward-thinking individual. Laura loved school and graduated from Thirty-Third Avenue High School in Gulfport Mississippi. After graduating from high school, Laura relocated to Chicago Illinois during the Great Migration, where she met and married her late husband Cleveland Nickerson, a local jazz musician; and
WHEREAS, Laura and Cleveland traveled throughout the United States as he played with many musical greats in large and small venues with his New York Organ jazz combo. Often during their travels they experienced the segregated color barrier, and during that period of time they could not stay in the hotels in which he performed, while performing in Las Vegas she and other band members wives could not attend the performances in the same room as the white patrons and they would have to watch from a smaller room designated for African-Americans; and
WHEREAS, upon returning to Chicago between her husband's musical engagements, Mrs. Laura Miller-Nickerson saw an opportunity to rent a former business space, and decided to open a restaurant, which she re-named Laura's Restaurant, becoming an early Black female-owned south side business. The soul-food emporium, located at 6422 S. Cottage Grove Ave., specialized in mouth-watering, home cooked meals. For over forty years, she fed neighborhood residents and celebrities alike, remaining in that location until she retired and closed the restaurant in 1983; and
WHEREAS, Always a trailblazer, she and her husband moved to 719 East 87th Place, successfully integrating the formerly all white Chatham neighborhood, and were welcomed into the community without any major problems, an unusual outcome during the late '50s and early '60's. Laura still resides in that home today where Laura and Cleveland were the first Black Family on that block; and
WHEREAS, Laura's favorite activity was traveling to places like Hawaii. Her Philosophy is to treat everyone right. Mrs. Nickerson's Hero is Dr. Martin L King, Jr. whom she met during his time her during the Chicago Freedom Movement, at her beloved Liberty Baptist Church of Chicago (LBC), where Rev. Darrell L Jackson serves as pastor. She actively participated in LBC's Scholarship Aid Society and the Women's Guild until her health began to decline she was also a member ofthe Chesterfield Community Organization; and
Therefore Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and the members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here in assembly this 25th day of July, 2018 A.D., do hereby express our most heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful July 30lh birthday celebration honoring 100 years to Mrs. Laura Miller Nickerson, and extend to her family, friends, neighbors and church members our sincere happiness that she has achieved this great life milestone; and
Be It Further Resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to, Mrs. Laura Nickerson on the exceptionally wonderful and auspicious occasion of this forthcoming July 28th birthday celebration.
