Record #: R2016-503   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 6/22/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 6/22/2016
Title: Tribute to late Mary Ella Smith
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2016-503.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, Mary Ella Smith has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 80; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, A woman of dignity, grace and charm, Mary Ella Smith was the fiancee of the late Mayor Harold Washington and the head of the Harold Washington Foundation; and

 

WHEREAS, Following the death of Mayor Washington in 1987, Mary Ella Smith continued to promote his legacy of fairness and equality for all; and

 

WHEREAS, Raised on the South Side and the daughter of a Pullman porter and a homemaker, Mary Ella Smith graduated from Northwestern University; and

 

WHEREAS, As a young woman, Mary Ella Smith was involved with an organization called the Third Ward Democrats where the Honorable Harold Washington was a leading member; and

 

WHEREAS, Mary Ella Smith enjoyed a more than 30-year career as an educator with the Chicago Public Schools and taught for most of her tenure at the Reavis Elementary School in the Kenwood community; and

 

WHEREAS, While Mary Ella Smith preferred to stay out of the limelight, she was known as a highly intelligent and resolute woman who provided savvy counsel; and

 

WHEREAS, As the head of the Harold Washington Foundation, Mary Ella Smith supported the arts and literacy while keeping alive the visionary leadership and profound contributions of Chicago's first African-American mayor; and

 

WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Mary Ella Smith serve as an example to all; and

 

WHEREAS, Mary Ella Smith 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 brother, Edward, and her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, Mary Ella Smith 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-second day of June, 2016, do hereby commemorate Mary Ella Smith for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and

Alderman - 14th Ward

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Ella Smith.