CONGRATULATIONS TO PHYLLIS HORNER SEROTA ON CELEBRATING HER
100™ BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, Phyllis Horner Serota, joined by family and friends, celebrated her 100" Birthday; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been informed of this special occasion by the Honorable Brian Hopkins, Alderman ofthe 2nd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis was born on September 5. 1918, and raised in Chicago, IL., an only child to loving parents, Frieda, (nee Golland) originally from Slutsk, Russia and Fred Horner, born in Prague, Austria-Hungary; and
WHEREAS, In the year of her birth, the life expectancy was 42.2 for Females and 36.6 for Males. In 1918, pink was for boys because it is a stronger color, and the more delicate blue was reserved for girls. The Star Spangled Banner was performed for the first time at a major league game during the World Series. Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day, marking the end of WWI hostilities which occurred in 1918 in the 11th month, on the 11th day, at the 11th hour, and the song God Bless America was written by Irving Berlin; and
WHEREAS, Phyllis grew up on the 5700 block of N. Kimball and attended Von Steuben High School. She graduated in the midst ofthe Great Depression and her family did not have resources to send her to the University of Illinois, which was her school of choice. She became a secretary; and
WHEREAS, She met the love of her life, Louis Serota and they were married in 1946. They settled in the 49th Ward (Rogers Park) living close to the lake on North Shore Ave. They guided their two sons, James and Mitchell, through Chicago Public Schools and Cub scouts. The family were congregants of B'nai Zion on Pratt Avenue, where the boys attended Hebrew School; and
WHEREAS, Louis suffered a first heart attack in the 1950's, Phyllis would drop off her boys at the Museum of Science and Industry while she attended to her husband at Michael Reese Hospital. After touring the Museum in its entirety over the course of many weekends, both sons grew up with a deep appreciation of science and technology. Phyllis was always adept at making the best of a dire situation; and
WHEREAS, With an ailing husband, Phyllis realized that she needed a career beyond motherhood. She attended the Harrington School of Design to learn the art form of interior design, and was installed as a Member ofthe American Society of Interior Designers in 1966. Louis died in 1975 leaving her on her own. But with a skill she enjoyed, Phyllis was able to build a successful career. The Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine and House Beautiful recognized her talent by publishing examples of her work. She still enjoys combining colors and fabrics; and
WHEREAS, In addition to building a business, Phyllis donated her energy to the community. She canvassed for Adali Stevenson's Presidential aspirations. When her sons went off to college, she joined Another Mother for Peace to campaign against the pursuit ofthe Vietnam War. In the 1980's, during the height of the AIDS epidemic, Phyllis opened her heart to gay men who were scorned.by their families.
She comforted many of them like a surrogate mother as they succumbed to the disease or as they lost close friends; and
WHEREAS, For decades, Phyllis held season tickets to the Lyric Opera and the Chicago Symphony and was a member ofthe Art Institute. She continued to work well into her 70's. As a retiree, she enjoys her two sons, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She looks forward to continuing her long life, guided by her motto from camp many years ago: "LO-HE-HA Love, Health, and Happiness." 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 congratulate Phyllis Horner Serota on her 100th birthday, salute her very accomplished life, and extend our very best wishes for many more birthdays; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Phyllis Horner Serota to commemorate this wonderful milestone in her life.
BRIAN HOPKINS Alderman, 2nd Ward