SR0221 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0221 LRB094 12406 HSS 46704 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Gwendolyn Blackburn on April 8, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was born Gwendolyn Sharlita Finch on January 15, 1935, to Marie M. Finch and John L. Finch; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was the fourth child, joining eldest sibling Gloria (Moseberry); her brother, John, Jr.; and her sister, Anita (Wright); and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn, in her formative years, attended Edmund Burke Elementary School, A.O. Sexton Elementary, and Englewood High School; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn married Clifton H. Blackburn on February 17, 1953; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was a sales associate for Archway Cookies and Parker House Sausages; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was a den mother for the Cub Scouts and a 4-H leader; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn attended cosmetology school and Teachers College; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was a freelance demonstrator for Jesse Owens Marketing; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was the owner of Ask Gwen Bridal for 20 years, the first black woman in the bridal business in Chicago, and she ran several businesses from home, including event planning, catering, clothing design, antiques, and collectibles; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was active in the civil rights movement having been an organizer for the March on Washington; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was a teacher in the Freedom School, teaching black family values to our youth; and

WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Blackburn was the loving wife and proud mother of three independent thinking sons, Kahil, Chelton, and Cherman; the doting grandmother to her ten grandchildren; a mother to countless young women; and a role model to all who came within her beguiling ways; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gwendolyn Blackburn, and we extend our sincerest condolences to her friends, family, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to her family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.