HR0056 LRB094 07116 HSS 37599 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Ms.
4 Annie Ruth Rogers on January 20, 2005; and
 
5     WHEREAS, She was born on March 18, 1920, to Willie Mae and
6 Wayman Caldwell in Birmingham, Alabama; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Ruth received her college diploma from Fort Valley
8 College in Georgia and became a math teacher in Fort Gaines,
9 Georgia; after moving to Chicago, she obtained a master's
10 degree from Governors State University in Park Forest; and
 
11     WHEREAS, In 1966, Ruth joined the staff of the Community
12 Mental Health Center, a joint venture between the University of
13 Chicago's Department of Psychiatry and The Woodlawn
14 Organization; she worked with the University of Chicago and
15 later Johns Hopkins University on research projects aimed at
16 improving the African American education and mental health
17 experience; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Ruth's chosen profession was community service,
19 and she worked for The Woodlawn Organization (TWO) from 1973 to
20 1996; during her tenure with TWO, she worked in various
21 capacities; she served as a community organizer working with
22 block clubs and community members and leaders protesting for
23 better housing, mental health services, voter's rights, and
24 countless social and economic issues affecting community
25 residents; as Director of TWO's The Woodlawn House, a halfway
26 house for the mentally ill, she helped many mentally ill
27 clients while advocating for increased services for the
28 mentally ill in Chicago; she retired as Vice Chairman of The
29 Board of Directors of TWO in 1996; and
 
30     WHEREAS, Ms. Rogers led an active spiritual life, and she

 

 

HR0056 - 2 - LRB094 07116 HSS 37599 r

1 was a founding member of the Board of Trustees for Metropolitan
2 Apostolic Community Church; and
 
3     WHEREAS, She was a trailblazing crusader, advocate, and
4 tireless warrior dedicated to uplifting the human spirit; she
5 was a leader, an educator, and teacher; she had the unique
6 ability to tap into the resources of those whom she believed
7 could make a difference in the lives of others; she was
8 actively involved in church, community, and civic
9 organizations that lifted her spirits and gave her
10 opportunities to continue to help others; she walked among many
11 high ranking dignitaries and leaders in all aspects of life,
12 but she never lost her common touch; her compassion will remain
13 a part of her legacy and her love and spirit will always live
14 in the hearts and minds of those she left behind; and
 
15     WHEREAS, The passing of Annie Ruth Rogers has been deeply
16 felt by many, especially her sisters, Mildred Mitchell, Juanita
17 Hargrave (Robert), and Nettie Frances Smith (Lewis); her
18 brothers, John W. Hardy (Eliza) and Bennie Hardy (Joan); and
19 many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; she was
20 preceded in death by her sisters, Creola Reed and Marie Taylor;
21 and her brothers, Willie J. Hardy, Judge Hardy, Jimmie Hardy,
22 Jonah Havard Hardy, Alfred Hardy, and Clarence Hardy;
23 therefore, be it
 
24     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
25 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
26 we mourn the passing of Annie Ruth Rogers, and we extend our
27 deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and all who knew and
28 loved her; and be it further
 
29     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
30 presented to her family as an expression of our sincere
31 condolences.