A RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF SHIRLEY J. NEWSOME
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that the members ofthis Chamber have been informed pf the passing of Shirley J. Newsome on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022; and
WHEREAS, As the former Alderman of Chicago's 4th Ward, a lifelong resident of the City of Chicago, a tireless community advocate, and award-winning civic leader, Shirley J. Newsome will be greatly missed by all; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Newsome was born on August 15,1945 to Reverend Charlie Murray Sr. and Blancy Lillie Strong, in Chicago, Illinois as one of six siblings along with Patricia, Stephanie, Kim, Ruby, and Charles; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Newsome grew up worshiping at her father's church, West Side New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church (431 N. Laramie Ave.), and received her formal education at Marshall High School (3250 W. Adams St.) before graduating from Chicago Teachers College - now known as the Chicago State University College of Education; and
WHEREAS, Her entrance into community advocacy started in 1981, just two years after she moved to the North Kenwood-Oakland community, when she organized the Lake Park-Berkeley-Ellis-Drexel Block Club Association; and
WHEREAS, From these seemingly humble beginnings Shirley J. Newsome grew into a prolific civic leader, focusing on issues of housing displacement, community development, economic revitalization, schools, arts, parks, childcare, and public safety; and
WHEREAS, Starting in 1991, Mrs. Newsome served as the head ofthe Kenwood-Oakland Community Conservation Council (NK-0 CCC) where she fought against the displacement of longtime residents by helping the neighborhoods receive landmark status to preserve existing housing, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the University of Chicago Charter Schools from 1995-2014 where she helped guide the school's educational mission and expansion, as the Chairman ofthe Board of Directors forthe South East Chicago Commission from 2008 to 2019 and the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Quad Communities Development Corporation since 2008 where through both organizations she focused on bringing economic development to the mid-south side, and as a Vice-Chair/Commissioner of the Chicago Community Development Commission; and
WHEREAS, All of these commitments, and more too numerous to list, were in addition to her distinguished 45 year career with the United States Government, which included 33 years with the Federal Circuit Court System, the last 11 under the leadership of Judge Diane P. Wood of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, as an Executive and Judicial Assistant, and Legal Secretary and Stenographer; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was taken out of retirement in 2011 when she was appointed as the Alderman of the 4th Ward to replace Toni Preckwinkle following her election as the President of the Cook County Board, and famously quipped when asked by the Hyde Park Herald if she would do it [serve as alderman] again, responded "the answer is a resounding no!"; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Newsome was the recipient of many well-deserved awards and accommodations, including but not limited to: the 2009 LISC Community Heroes, the 2005 Genesis Housing Community Service Award, the 2002 Business and Professional People in the Public Interest Community Service Award, the 2000 CDNA "Friend of the Neighborhood Award" in 2000, and the Leadership Award in 2011 from the 4th Ward Democratic Organization; and
WHEREAS, Through all this work, Mrs. Newsome remained grounded in her faith, worshiping and serving in various leadership positions at Monumental Baptist Church since 1979; and
WHEREAS, Shirley J. Newsome is an irreplaceable member of Chicago's Greater South Side, her warmth, faith, leadership, tireless work ethic and unwavering dedication to the betterment of the community will continue to serve as an inspiration for anyone in public service; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here in assembly this 18th Day of January, 2023 A.D., do hereby extend our condolences to the family and friends of Shirley J. Newsome; and
Pat Dowell Alderman, 3rd Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Shirley J. Newsome.
