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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE COOK COUNTY CLERK KAREN A. YARBROUGH
WHEREAS, Karen A. Yarbrough's life journey began on August 22, 1950, when her parents, Donald Williams, Sr. and Mercedes Moore welcomed her into the world; and
WHEREAS, Karen A. Yarbrough was a wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend and mentor to many. She lived her life with a passion for helping others and exemplified what it means to be a public servant. She was a true trailblazer who inspired a generation of young women and men to follow her example of putting service before self; and
WHEREAS, Karen A. Yarbrough earned her B.A. in Business Management from Chicago State University, a Master's Degree in inner-city studies from Northeastern Illinois University, attended Harvard's Kennedy School of Government's Advanced Leadership Studies, a Certificate of Public Leadership from Pepperdine University and a certificate as a Certified Election Registration Administrator from Auburn University; and
WHEREAS, Karen A. Yarbrough served as an Illinois State Representative, Cook County Recorder of Deeds, and Cook County Clerk. In these roles, she always stood up for what was right, even when it was unpopular to do so. She never backed down from tough battles, and was proud to serve as a voice for the voiceless, the poor and those needing a second chance in life; and
WHEREAS, As a State Representative, Karen A. Yarbrough was a force to be reckoned with. She was able to overcome the influence of special interests to ban smoking indoors in public buildings, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work to abolish the death penalty in Illinois. Her tireless work ethic and effectiveness in the Capitol earned her an appointment as Assistant House Majority Leader; and
WHEREAS, As Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Recorder Yarbrough took a position that was historically thought of as ministerial, and turned it into one of advocacy. As Recorder, she establish...
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