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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Erma Bridgewater of Champaign; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater (nee Scott) was born to Ray and
5Sarah Scott; she graduated from Champaign High School in 1931
6and studied sociology at the University of Illinois, graduating
7in 1937; she married Cecil Bridgewater in 1941; and
 
8    WHEREAS, After graduating college, Erma Bridgewater was
9hired as the first co-director of the Douglass Community Center
10on the University of Illinois campus; she left to raise her
11children and returned to the position of director from 1955 to
121962; she worked for a time at the Urbana Courier as a
13proofreader and for the City of Champaign, first in urban
14renewal and later community development; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater received many honors through the
16years; she was named a "living legend" by Project 500, a group
17of 500 African Americans who were recruited to attend the
18University of Illinois 3 decades after she did; Bethel AME
19Church proclaimed one Sunday as "Mrs. B. Day" and former
20Champaign Mayor Jerry Schweighart gave her the key to the city;
21and
 

 

 

SR0209- 2 -LRB098 11615 MST 43981 r

1    WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater enjoyed jazz and was a member and
2piano player for Bethel AME Church; as a teenager, she played
3piano in a teen jazz combo her father had founded; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater was preceded in death by her
5parents and her husband of 58 years, Cecil; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Erma Bridgewater is survived by her children, Ron,
7Cecil, and Cassandra "Cassie"; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
9ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
10Erma Bridgewater, and we extend our sincere condolences to her
11family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
12further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to the family of Erma Bridgewater as an expression of
15our deepest sympathy.