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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF DELORES HOLMES
WHEREAS, The Honorable Delores Holmes passed away on October 23, 2024 at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Delores was born April 21, 1928 in Spring Hill, Tennessee and moved to Evanston in 1941 when she was just three years old; and
WHEREAS, Delores’ father worked as a commander at Veterans of Foreign Wars, and her mother was a member of its auxiliary. Holmes said her parents served as an inspiration for a lifetime of service to the city and her community; and
WHEREAS, when Delores married Bill Holmes and had children in the ’60s, she began working for the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Head Start program, which provides early childhood education to young children. This job marked the beginning of her advocacy for families and children; and
WHEREAS, Delores served as the Family Activities Coordinator for the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) 1971 to 1976; and
WHEREAS, Delores also began volunteering with the Evanston branch of the League of Women Voters, and served as their observer at City Council meetings - a position that she said taught her the inner workings of municipal politics and prepared her to be alderman; and
WHEREAS, Delores got her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Northeastern Illinois University and her Master’s in Education from National Louis University. Deelores was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Delores became a well-known figure in Evanston during her 27-year tenure as the co-founder and first director of Family Focus Evanston starting in 1976, an organization that supports young families with youth outreach, early childhood education and much more; and
WHEREAS, under the direction of Delores, the Weissbourd-Holmes Community Center has become home to numerous community organizations, including Connections for the Homeless, PEER Services, Foster Reading Center, the Youth Services Bureau of the Evanston Police Department, the Alternative School for School District 65, Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater, Teen Baby Nursery, and the Children's School and is a meeting place for countless community organizations; and
WHEREAS, after her time with Family Focus, Delores spent three terms across 12 years serving on Evanston’s City Council from 2005 to 2017, representing the 5th Ward. Delores won her first race by more than 75 percent of the vote; and
WHEREAS, during her time as Alderman, Delores helped establish the Youth and Young Adult Division. The division, created in 2011, aims to provide support to those aged 14 to 26 through education, workforce development training, arts and culture programming and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the Youth and Young Adult Division, Delores worked closely with mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl in the expansion of the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. This program provides summer jobs to young adults to prepare them for future employment and help identify possible career interests; and
WHEREAS, Delores is preceded by her husband Bill Holmes and leaves behind two children, Kimberly (Vance) Holmes-Ross and Stephen (Tanashua) Holmes; and
WHEREAS, Delores remained active with organizations across Evanston until the very end, participating in several major community events in just the last few months; and
WHEREAS, in one of her last public appearances, she was among the women honored at the unveiling last month of the “100 Years of Women … Leaving a Legacy” mural on the CTA viaduct at Clark and Benson in Evanston; and
WHEREAS, Delores was a giant in the community. She was a true trailblazer, amazing storyteller and an Evanstonian, through and through. She was a pillar of strength and compassion in every aspect of her life. A real-life Wonder Woman. She worked tirelessly for change, for good, and for what was right; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Board of Commissioners of Cook County do hereby offer their deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family and many friends of Delores Holmes, and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy be tendered to the family of Delores Holmes so that her memory may be honored and ever cherished.
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