Congratulations to Roberta Wilson on being presented with the Illinois Congress of Parents & Teachers, Certificate of Honorary Life Membership Award
WHEREAS, On September 19, 2018, Roberta Wilson was awarded the Illinois Congress of Parents & Teachers, Certificate of Honorary Life Membership Award by the Illinois PTA, at Douglass High School; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that the City Council of the City of Chicago is hereby informed of this special occurrence by the Honorable Emma Mitts, Alderman of the 37th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Roberta was a para parent for CPS for over 33 years, a teacher's assistant at Austin High School, John Hay, Sumner, Moos, and then at Schubert Elementary for 29 years;. She continues to volunteer after retirement. While she didn't have the opportunity to -pursue an education growing up, she's made it her life mission to help others improve themselves academically. Wilson credits her father, a World War I veteran, who always looked for opportunities to help other veterans. She also credits her great aunt who always made sure that Roberta and her siblings had plenty of winter clothes and instilled in her the importance of volunteering; and most importantly, her mother taught her" Whatever you undertake to do, do your very best"; and
WHEREAS, Roberta has continually been active and accomplished in schools, communities, and councils well into her senior years, receiving recognition in the 2004 Chicago Senior Hall of Fame, and in the 2011 State Senior Hall of Fame. At the Third Unitarian Church she was their first African American Member and went on to serve on the Board of Trustees. She was a longtime member of their Third Unitarian Church Women's Alliance and was recognized in 2010 as an Agent of Change. She also started an Annual Coat Drive at TUC for those in need. Roberta served on the Board of South Austin Day Care Center, and volunteered at the Harriet Tubman Food Pantry and homeless shelters. She worked with the West Side Community Council, and the City Wide Legal Assistance Foundation; and Roberta also served as the Chairman of the 1400 North Lockwood Block Club,; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilson was a steadfast crusader for the needs of others from as early on as the 1960's when she marched with Martin Luther King as a soldier in the Civil Rights Movement. Amongst her many efforts, included transportation, as she went to battle with the CTA to provide economical public transportation to seniors, remembering when the fares were only three cents. She was also a member of Congressman Danny Davis' Education Task Force; and
WHEREAS, One of Roberta's most notable accomplishments has been achieved over the last forty years, where beginning in 1974, she was a founding member for the Third Unitarian Scholarship Fund, providing monetary assistance to local students heading to college. At the remarkable age of 91, Roberta continues as Chairman of the Scholarship. She said that she is pleased to see how much the program has grown since she first joined the committee. In the early years, Roberta said the scholarships were only $250 per student, and there were fewer students. This year the students will receive $1,000 each and there were 20 recipients. Roberta stated that she was already looking for ways to raise money for next year's scholarships and hopes the program continues to grow; and
WHEREAS, On September 19, 2018, Catherine Jones, Douglass PTSA President and Director, 23rd District, proudly presented Ms. Roberta Wilson with the Illinois Congress of Parents & Teachers, Certificate of Honorary Life Membership Award on behalf of the Illinois State PTA, this award, is an honor bestowed upon an individual for outstanding contributions to the well-being of children and youth. Roberta Wilson is certainly the embodiment of that spirit; and we are commending Roberta for her dedication, compassion, and efforts; particularly in the Austin, Garfield and Oak Park areas; now, therefore
Be It Resolved, That we the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this thirty-first day of October 2018, do hereby thank and recognize Roberta on her numerous achievements, and extend to her our sincere congratulations on her Illinois Congress of Parents & Teachers, Certificate of Honorary Life Membership Award;
Be It Further Resolved, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Roberta Wilson to commemorate this honor.
Alderman, 37th Ward
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