BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO;
SECTION 1. Pursuant to am ordinance heretofore passed by the City Council which allows erection of honorary street-name signs, the Commissioner of Transportation shall take the necessary action for standardization of a portion of West 107th Street, on the north side of the street, as "Reverend Barbara Carson McEwing Way," installing a total of three signs, one at each ofthe following locations:
10700 South Sangamon Street, 10700 South Peoria Street, and 10700 South Green Street.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and
Alderman, 34th Ward
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lo: Alderman Carrie Austin
Barbara Carson McEwing was the first African American United Methodist Pastor. As a community leader, this virtuous woman pioneered the way for many African American women pastors. Her stance and declaration of equality in race and gender for the right to pastor and/or preach within any church became pervasive within the Rock River Conference which is now known as the United Methodist Church. Subsequently, her stance and declaration of equality influenced ethnical demographics of African American women pastors throughout Illinois. Due to her guidance, the society now has teachers, administrators, superintendents, pastors, preachers, students pursuing their doctorate degrees and other aspirations, a radio broadcast teaching Christian Theology, a CEO of a company, and a Fine Arts School.
Not only was Barbara McEwing exemplary in pastoring, but she walked in excellence in all facets of her life. "This Woman of God" was also deeply loved as an educator, wife, mother and friend.
We extend our appreciation to every person which will contribute to successfully executing this project of granting this request of providing honorary street signs on 10700 Sangamon, 10700 S. Peoria, 10700 S. Green and 10700 S. Halsted to commemorate the memory of such a beloved woman as Pastor Barbara McEwing.
To: Alderman Carrie Austin
We the undersigned respectfully request that the streets of 10700 S. Sangamon, 10700 S. Peoria, 10700 S. Green and 10700 S. Halsted be used to highly regard the distinguished Pastor Barbara Carson McEwing with an honorary street sign in recognition of her outstanding leadership.
Barbara Carson McEwing was the first African American United Methodist Pastor. As a community leader, this virtuous woman pioneered the way for many African American women pastors. Her stance and declaration of equality in race and gender for the right to pastor and/or preach within any church became pervasive within the Rock River Conference which is now known as the United Methodist Church. Subsequently, her stance and declaration of equality influenced ethnical demographics of African American women pastors throughout Illinois. Due to her guidance, the society now has teachers, administrators, superintendents, pastors, preachers, students pursuing their doctorate degrees and other aspirations, a radio broadcast teaching Christian Theology, a CEO of a company, and a Fine Arts School.
Not only was Barbara McEwing exemplary in pastoring, but she walked in excellence in all facets of her life. "This Woman of God" was also deeply loved as an educator, wife, mother and friend.
We extend our appreciation to every person which will contribute to successfully executing this project of granting this request of providing honorary street signs on 10700 Sangamon, 10700 S. Peoria, 10700 S. Green and 10700 S. Halsted to commemorate the memory of such a beloved woman as Pastor Barbara McEwing.
September 26, 2014
Ms. Rachel McEwing 12810 South Union Chicago, Illinois 60628
Dear Rachel,
As tlie elected Historian of the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church, I hereby certify that the following is a true and correct transcription of the "Record of Ministerial Service" for tlie Reverend Barbara C. McEwing as it appears in the Journal of the Northern Illinois Conference, 1980, page 396. This would have been the last entry prior to Rev. McEwing's death.
"McEWING, BARBARA C. (Simmons). Received on Probation, 1961 (Lexington Conference). Received in Full, 1963 (Lexington Conference). 1961 Indianapolis: St. Paul. 1962 Springfield, Ohio: Broaddus. 1963 Robbins: St. Paul. July 12, 1964 transferred to Rock River Conference. 1965 Evanston: Sherman. 1967 Supernumerary. 1969 Chicago: Washington Heights."
In her book, Courageous Past, Bold Future: The Journey Toward Full Clergy Rights for Women in The United Methodist Church (Nashville, Tennessee: General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church), page 163, author Patricia J. Thompson characterizes Rev. McEwing as tlie first woman to be received into full connection in the Lexington Conference, Central Jurisdiction, ofthe Methodist Church, the first African American woman to have full clergy rights in the Rock River Conference, and thereby the first African American woman to have this distinction in the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist
Daniel L. Swinson^PitD ^ Historian of tlie Northern Illinois Conference The United Methodist Church
Church.
Rev. GJr. LTanfe.!! L SwcDtsorc. Psstor
ilCK PKOKE: 847-439-09S0
-ax: 847-439-9915
['Asrcu's ?kou& 847-772-6915
October 8, 2014
Rachel McEwing 12810 S. Union Chicago, IL 60628
Dear Ms. McEwing:
The first African-American women ordained in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference were Lisa Joiner in 1987 in the Southern Illinois Conference and Beverly Wilkes Null in 1991 in the Central Illinois Conference. The two conferences merged in 1997 to form the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
Thank you for your interest in our history.
Sincerely,
Lauretta Archivist