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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to honor Stella Foster, author of
4"Stella's Column" in the Chicago Sun-Times, for her work in
5journalism; and
 
6    WHEREAS, "Stella's Column," which debuted in the Chicago
7Sun-Times on December 2, 2003, is one of the newspaper's most
8popular columns; it's popularity is a testimony to it's writer,
9Chicago journalist Stella Foster, who has enjoyed a career as a
10writer, broadcaster, and as the long-time assistant to the late
11Irv Kupcinet; "Stella's Column," which runs every Tuesday and
12Thursday, reflects Stella's personality, zest for life,
13compassion, and love of people; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The column is multiethnic, multigenerational, and
15covers a broad interest base; it also publicizes charitable
16events, particularly those that benefit causes that are close
17to Stella's heart, like child abuse, teenage pregnancy, and
18women's issues; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Her current status as a highly-respected
20journalist began in August of 1969 when her sister told her
21that the legendary Irv Kupcinet was looking for a new
22secretary; she interviewed for the position and was hired; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, For 34 years, Stella was Kup's assistant,
2confidante, organizer, and the glue that kept the column alive
3and vibrant; her writing career was officially launched in the
4mid 1980s, when her brother-in-law approached her about writing
5for Sister 2 Sister, a national entertainment magazine; without
6the benefit of formal journalistic training, she penned the
7monthly entertainment column titled "Starlights by Stella"
8that featured celebrity news; and
 
9    WHEREAS, When the Sun Times' editorial page featured
10Personal Views, Stella contributed and expounded on a variety
11of topics that piqued readers' curiosity and elicited diverse
12opinions; she took her "act" to television when Fox News
13approached her about being a morning commentator; the weekly
14segment, titled, "Stella Sez," featured a mix of newsy nuggets
15that captivated viewers during the year it was on the air; and
 
16    WHEREAS, As Kup began to age, his health began to
17deteriorate and he was in the office less frequently; to keep
18the column alive, Stella began assuming the bulk of the writing
19duties; the Sun Times recognized her contribution by giving her
20a byline at the end of the column, and eventually gave her
21co-writing credits; when Kup died on November 10, 2003, Stella
22was widely heralded as one of the women behind his success; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, She is a humanitarian who promotes organizations
2whose missions parallel causes that are dear to her heart; she
3uses the power and pull of her column to galvanize her readers
4and friends around these issues; she has been profiled in
5Chicago Magazine, Today's Chicago Woman, N'Digo Magapaper,
6Rolling Out, and the Chicago Defender; and
 
7    WHEREAS, She is the recipient of numerous awards including
8the "Promises Fulfilled Award" from South Central Community
9Services, a Communications Award from the 100 Black Men of
10Chicago, the Archibald Motley Excellence in Arts Award from the
11Englewood Committee, Mt. Sinai's Parenting Institute's African
12Village Award, the Torch for Journalism from Sigma Gamma Rho
13Sorority, the "Making A Difference Award" from Rainbow PUSH
14Coalition as a Woman of Distinction, the State of Illinois
15African-American Media Award from the Illinois Secretary of
16State's Office, the African-American History Service Award
17from Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, the A. Philip Randolph
18Gentle Warrior Award, and the "Shero" Award for Career
19Achievement from NABFEME; and
 
20    WHEREAS, She has been saluted by the Midwest Radio and
21Music Association, hailed as a "Phenomenal Woman" by the Expo
22for Today's Black Woman, and earned awards from the Chicago
23Black Public Relations Society and the National Council of
24Negro Women; she was also presented the Irv Kupcinet Media

 

 

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1Giant Award, named in honor of her late friend and mentor; and
 
2    WHEREAS, She is a member of the Chicago Association of
3Black Journalists, the Association of Women Journalists, the
4Press Club, the Chicago Journalists Association, and the
5Chicago Press Veterans; she has appeared on WVON, and has been
6a guest on numerous other media outlets; she enjoys reading,
7watching television, dancing, and listening to rhythm and
8blues; she also enjoys downtime with her family, whom she
9values and cherishes; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
12we honor Stella Foster for her hard work in journalism and the
13value she has brought to the City of Chicago and the State of
14Illinois; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to Stella Foster as a symbol of our respect and
17esteem.