Resolution Celebrating the Life and Memory of Shirley Newsome
WHEREAS, We, the members of the Chicago City Council, wish to honor the life of Alderwoman Shirley Newsome, a Community Advocate, mother and friend who peacefully passed away on December 25th 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of Shirley's passing by Alderwoman Sophia King, Alderwoman of the 4th ward; and
WHEREAS, Alderwoman Shirley Newsome was born on Aug. 15th, 1945 to the Rev. Charlie Murray Sr. and Blancy Lillie Strong; and
WHEREAS, Alderwoman Newsome was a beloved member of the North Kenwood-Oakland Community Conservation Council and a resident of North Kenwood-Oakland for the past 34+ years and began her community involvement in 1981 with the organization of the Lake Park-Berkeley-Ellis-Drexel Block Club Association; and
WHEREAS, Since 1988 Alderman Newsome was actively involved in the process of engaging community around the development of affordable and mixed-income housing, recreational facilities, the development of commercial and mixed-use properties on the commercial corridors, policies, planning, and countless agendas to improve the overall Quality of Life for the residents in multiple neighborhoods on the southeast side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Alderwoman Newsome participated in the planning process that led to the designation of North Kenwood-Oakland as a Conservation Area, serving as the Planning Committee Co-Chair and later appointed Chairman of the NKO Conservation Community Council, following City Council designation; and
WHEREAS, She was actively involved in all of the "Quality of Life" issues of community development and revitalization: Schools, Parks, Child Care, Cultural Arts, Crime and Safety, and served as community representative for North Kenwood-Oakland on various committees addressing these areas. Her community work extended to the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Kenwood, Washington Park, and Woodlawn when appointed to the South East Chicago Commissions' board of directors by the University of Chicago, and later led the organization as its chairperson with particular focus on housing, transportation, business development and retention, neighborhood improvement, and arts and culture; and
WHEREAS, Alderwoman Newsome retired in 2006 after a distinguished career that spanned 45 years across various agencies of the United States Government. Thirty-three of those years were with the Federal Circuit Court system, with the last eleven in the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in the court of Circuit Judge Diane P. Wood. Reflecting her professional experience as Executive and Judicial Assistant, Legal Secretary and Stenographer, she brought impeccable skills and experience to her many community missions. She was known for taking detailed notes, often in Short-Hand, and maintaining well organized documentation; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her career with the U. S. Government, she received regular acknowledgements and awards for outstanding quality, special service, and length of service across multiple agencies; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Alderwoman Newsome came out of retirement and continued her serve to our community when she accepted an appointment as Interim Alderman ofthe Fourth Ward, City of Chicago. While her time as an appointed official was short, the impact was critically important to assuring that development and revitalization planning continued to move forward during that interim period; and
WHEREAS, Alderwoman Newsome's dedication to the City of Chicago is highly respected and acknowledged by officials and residents across the 4th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Alderwoman Newsome was a proud and active member and held various leadership position at Monumental Baptist Church since 1979. Shirley treasured her Monumental family, which joins a brother, sister, grand-daughter, three great-grandchildren and numerous other family members and the community to mourn her loss; and
BE IT RESOVLED, That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here this day the Eighteenth of January, 2023, do hereby honor the life and legacy of Alderwoman Shirley Newsome; and
Sophia D. King
Alderman, 4'" Ward
BE IT FINALLY RESOVLED, That a suitable copy ofthis resolution be prepared and presented to Alderwoman Shirley Newsome's family as a token of our sympathy and respect.
