CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNIE LAWRENCE BROWN, R.N., ED.D ON HER 95th BIRTHDAY!
WHEREAS, On February 12, 2019, Dr. Annie Lawrence Brown celebrated the joyous occasion of her ninety-fifth birthday; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this special occasion by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman ofthe 34th Ward and Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown was born in the year 1924 in Madisonville, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown is the beloved wife of the late Rudolph C. Brown, Sr., who, for thirty-three years, proudly served the citizens of Chicago as a dedicated police officer, including twenty-two years as an investigator and member of the special detail unit for many of Chicago's former mayors, among them: Richard M. Daley, Eugene Sawyer, Harold Washington, Jane Byrne, and Richard J. Daley; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown's educational credentials are stellar and a testament to her commitment to a life of ongoing growth and development. She has earned multiple degrees throughout her life, including the following: Doctorate of Education, Illinois State University; Doctorate of Education, The University of Sarasota, Florida; Doctorate of Science, honorary degree from Elmhurst College, Illinois; Geriatric Scholars Certificate, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine Center on Aging, Chicago, Illinois; thirty-nine credits as a Curriculum Specialist, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Bachelors and Masters of Science in Nursing Education, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois; Certificate in Public Health Nursing, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois; Diploma, Freedman's School of Nursing, Washington, D.C.; Certificate, Cortez Peter's Business College, Washington, D.C.; and Certified Parliamentarian, Institute of Parliamentarians, Indianapolis, Indiana; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her long and significant career, Dr. Lawrence Brown has demonstrated a tireless commitment to the goal of working with young people and adults, encouraging them, too, to seek educational advancement; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown is a proud member of the esteemed African American sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, founded by seven educators in 1922 at Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, and which, in 1930, became part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, referred to as the "Divine Nine"; and
WHEREAS, For decades, Dr. Lawrence Brown has faithfully contributed to the sorority's critical mission of enhancing the quality of life for women and their families, in the United States and globally, through community service, civil, and social action; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown served as the 13th International Grand Basileus of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, at the time employing^a^a^sjhirri sjyle that could best be described as "management by objectives with discipline"; and | _jq Ifil-Mf?
WHEREAS, There were many g^ii^catljj adcen^J^hgients during Dr. Lawrence Brown's tenure in the sorority's administration including: the purchase of the sorority's first international headquarters;
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publishing the first sorority history book; establishing the life membership category; the launching of Project Reassurance, which established a partnership with the March of Dimes; and
WHEREAS, One of Dr. Lawrence Brown's most cherished memories during her administration of Sigma Gamma Rho is when members ofthe sorority's founders group participated in its joyous 50th anniversary celebration; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown is extremely well regarded in the nursing profession and the nursing community at-large, both regionally and nationally. She has held positions, offices and/or memberships, in a multitude of organizations, including: the American Nurses Association; Illinois Nurses Association; Chicago Nurses Association; American Association of Colleges of Nursing; National League for Nursing; Illinois League for Nursing; Professor Emeritus, Governors State, University Division of Nursing; Evangelical Health Systems School of Nursing; Provident Hospital School of Nursing Education; Coordinator, State of Illinois Department of Registration and Education; and, the special honor of being the first African American elected as President of the Illinois Nursing Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown has received many accolades for her intellect and service, including: "Outstanding DePaul University Alumna", a listing in Ebony Magazine's Success Library, and Who's Who in America; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown is deeply dedicated to her church community. She has served as a member on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Parliamentarians, supporting many church organizations, including her own church, the Congregational Church of Park Manor, United Church of Christ; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown now relishes her time with family and friends, including her 89th Street Block Club. She enjoys traveling, movies, musical concerts, and continues to be an avid baseball and Chicago Bears football fan; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lawrence Brown, for close to a century, has crafted a life of honor, grace, humility, compassion, zest for learning, vivacious spirit, meaningful work, and a loving devotion to her family, friends, church, and community; now and therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here this thirteenth day of March, 2019, do hereby congratulate Dr. Annie Lawrence Brown on the occasion of her ninety-fifth birthday and extend our very best wishes for continued health and happiness; and
CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Dr. Annie Lawrence Brown to commemorate her accomplishments and this wonderful milestone in her life.