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PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE TO FILE 17-2613
Sponsored by: STANLEY MOORE, Cook County Board of Commissioners
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF JOSEPHINE “MOTHER” WADE
WHEREAS, the members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners are pleased to recognize the dedication and commitment given to the residents of Chicago by Josephine “Mother” Wade; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Wade was one of thirteen children born to George Wade and Margie Ree Wade; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Wade attended Lincoln High School in Forrest City, Arkansas and graduated from South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Wade made a decision at the age of 15 that the way to reach her dreams was to become an entrepreneur; and
WHEREAS, Josephine entered the business world at the age of 21 and quickly established herself as a hard worker and strategic businesswoman; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Wade pursued her interest in being a restaurateur and mortgage broker for 33 years; and
WHEREAS, after marrying Rupert Smith, the love of her life, they went on to open Captain's Hard Times Dining at 353 East 79th Street in Chicago in 1989; and
WHEREAS, their collaboration was so successful that less than four months after opening, they outgrew the 79th Street location and moved to their present location of 436-440 East 79th Street in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Wade had three biological children, Victor Love, Beverly Love and Elyse Love, but she also would look after all of the children in her community as if she were their “mother”; and
WHEREAS, “Mother” Wade, as she is called in the community, gave “mother” lessons to all the children who she came into contact with, whether it was discipline, financial or just a motherly hug; and
WHEREAS, She cares less about a person’s economic status and more about a person’s potential; and
WHEREAS, “Mother” Wade always expressed to anyone and everyone her motto: "I always put God first in my life, and my second love, of course, is my family, followed closely by the church and the clergy”; and
WHEREAS, “Mother” Wade is a loyal member of Triedstone Full Gospel Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, “Mother” Wade expresses her love for her community by committing her time and energy as a member of the Board of Directors of the Albertina Walker Scholarship Foundation as well as serving on the Community Advisory Board for Carver High School and the Harold Washington College's Hospitality Program and several national associations; and
WHEREAS, “Mother” Wade has received many awards in the past, but the ones that she will cherish most include being recognized by President Bill Clinton and President George Bush for her community and political involvement; and
WHEREAS, Rainbow PUSH honored her at its International Women’s Luncheon by presenting her the Excellence in Business Award in June 2016; and
WHEREAS, in March 2017 the Chicago Defender recognized Josephine “Mother” Wade as one of 2017’s “50 Women of Excellence”; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2017 “Mother” Wade received her greatest award when the community that she has lived in and worked tirelessly to support honored her by dedicating the intersection of 79th Street and South Vernon in her name; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners that Cook County shall recognize Josephine “Mother” Wade’s tireless service to the citizens of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to be presented to Josephine “Mother” Wade in recognition of this important milestone.
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