title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION HONORING ROSELLA PERRY SMITH
WHEREAS, Rosella Perry Smith was born on September 19, 1935 to the late Maddie and Edward Perry; and
WHEREAS, Edward her father never saw Rosella because he was gravely ill and in isolation when she was an infant; and
WHEREAS, Rosella and her brother Ervin (Maurice) and sister Margaret grew up in the Ida B. Wells housing project on the
South-side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Rosella has fond memories of the community center in the neighborhood where her and the family attended; and
WHEREAS, it was at the community center that her and her friends made stage outfits for a group that Herb Kent “The
Cook Gent” had discovered; and
WHEREAS, in 1953 Rosella graduated from Wendell Phillips High School and is a graduate of the Chicago Teacher’s College
which is known as Chicago State University; and
WHEREAS, in 1960, Rosella married another Wendell Phillips High School Alumnus, James O. Smith. Through that union three children was born; Jamella, Jarel and James known as (Casey) one grand-daughter Kendall; and
WHEREAS, Rosella and her family frequently dined at the finest restaurants, went to many plays, traveled all over the United States and cruises to the Caribbean; and
WHEREAS, Rosella taught in the Chicago Public School system for thirty- seven years. She started teaching at Doolittle Elementary School but spent the majority of her career at Avalon Park Elementary; and
WHEREAS, throughout Rosella’s career she received many recognitions including The Golden Apple Award; and
WHEREAS, other activities have included; Sunday School Teacher, Youth and Choir Director at Metropolitan Community
Church (now known as Apostolic Community Church); and
WHEREAS, after retiring from teaching Rosella did not slow down at all. She volunteers with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,
Dusable Museum of African American History and a Docent at the Art Institute of Chicago; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Board of Commissioners of Cook County congratulate Rosella Smith on the occasion of her 80th birthday.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text is spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and a suitable copy of the same be tendered to Rosella Smith.
end