HR0737 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0737 LRB094 15039 DRH 50332 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House are pleased to honor Cleo Johnson, founder and director of Cleo Johnson's School of Charm and Modeling Agency, and congratulate her on her lifetime achievements; and

WHEREAS, In the 1950s professional modeling as a career was extremely limited; upon graduating from the now defunct Academy of Charm in 1951, Cleo Johnson found that opportunities for black women, in particular, being trained as fashion models were not the best; after personally experiencing the extreme racial discrimination that period of history produced, Mrs. Johnson felt that one day a door would open for women of all races; she also had a strong desire to share the expert knowledge she had acquired in the field of high fashion modeling; and

WHEREAS, In 1956, Mrs. Johnson organized Cleo Johnson's School of Charm and Modeling; the school's mission was to train women and men to improve their appearance, attitude, and behavior; the end result would make the difference between success and failure; students were prepared to take command in any situation, whether in the office, schoolroom, hospital, or across the breakfast table; and

WHEREAS, During the past fifty years, Cleo Johnson has provided a professional modeling program of high quality; in addition, Mrs. Johnson has guided literally thousands of individuals to successful professions other than modeling, which has resulted in helping them succeed in today's market; some of the school's past graduates include Gary Gray Jr. (cast member of the original Bill Cosby television sitcom), the late Minnie Riperton (top recording artist), Sherri "Peaches" Brewer Bronfman (actress who appeared in the movie Shaft and the musical Hello Dolly), and Cardiss Collins (former Illinois Congresswoman); even though these individuals and many more were groomed by Mrs. Johnson and achieved beyond the norm, Mrs. Johnson excelled in motivating the average child and adult to develop healthy self esteem; Mrs. Johnson deeply felt that if an individual was not able to overcome low self esteem, it could lead to introversion, withdrawal from normal life, and a waste of one's potential; Mrs. Johnson never turned away anyone who asked for her guidance; one example was a young lady who was handicapped and totally relied on a wheelchair for her mobility; she is now a past graduate; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, various business people have offered Mrs. Johnson positions in their companies; she never accepted; she stuck with her dream of helping others obtain their dreams; not worried about fame or fortune, Mrs. Johnson has held on to the power of faith, hope, and charity, which have motivated her actions; as a result, Cleo Johnson's School of Charm and Modeling Agency is the first and only black owned and operated modeling school which has existed to serve the community for the past fifty years; and

WHEREAS, Cleo Johnson has received numerous awards attesting to her outstanding achievements, contributions, and service, including, most recently: 1991, Founders' Award, Modeling Association of America International; 1992, Career Day Award; 1993, Salute to Our Youth Award; 1994, Charter Member Award, Modeling Association of America International; 1995, In the News Award; 1996, Hirsch Metro High School Partners in Education Award; 1996, Most Elegant Woman Around Award, Harold Necklas, Chairman; 1996, Pioneer of the Year; 1996 and 1997, Woman of the Rock; 1998, The African American Award; 1999, Forty Years of Service and Achievement Award, Ethel Mae Hawkins; and 2005, Black On Black Love Award; and

WHEREAS, On Sunday, November 6, 2005, at 4:00 P.M., at the Sabre Room, 3900 W. 95th Street, in Hickory Hills, Illinois, the past graduates of the past fifty years of Cleo Johnson's School of Charm and Modeling Agency will pay tribute to Cleo Johnson, the school's founder and director; with this tribute, Mrs. Johnson ("Chicago's First Lady of Fashion") will be recognized for her pioneering spirit as a fashion icon, leadership, accomplishments in the field of professional modeling, locally and nationally, consummate teacher, and dedicated support and service to Chicago's educational, religious, and civic community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Cleo Johnson, founder and director of Cleo Johnson's School of Charm and Modeling Agency, and congratulate her on her lifetime achievements; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Cleo Johnson as an expression of our respect, admiration, and esteem.