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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION HONORING THE AMAZING LIFE OF SUE ISH
WHEREAS, Sue Barnett Ish was born on February 3, 1920 in Boynton, Oklahoma, the first born of Etta Moten and Curtis Brooks and later her sisters, Gladys and Etta Vee were born; and
WHEREAS, after a brief marriage, Sue’s mother returned to her home with her three daughters in Kansas City, where Sue’s grandfather Rev. Freeman Moten and wife Ida helped to raise the three daughters so her mother could attend University of Kansas and pursue a professional career as a concert singer and performing artist; and
WHEREAS, in 1934, Sue’s mother married Claude Barnett, founder of Associate Negro Press and he adopted the three daughters; At the age of 16, Sue graduated from Lincoln High School in Kansas City and attended the Historically Black Talladega College where she met her future husband Stanley Ish Jr.; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Talladega, Sue attended the University of Chicago Masters program to study English Literature; however, her advanced education was interrupted when she and Stanley Ish Jr. married and moved to Marion Arkansas and later Memphis Tennessee where Stanley practiced medicine as a surgeon and in 1951 Sue gave birth to their only child, Etta Sue Ish; and
WHEREAS, it was in Memphis that Sue became very active as a civil rights advocate as Memphis was racially segregated at the time and Sue was very involved in the organized boycotts and sit-ins as a member of the NAACP, Urban League and other civil rights organizations; and
WHEREAS, in 1965, her husband passed away after a battle with lung cancer and Sue and her daughter Etta Sue returned to her parents’ home in Chicago, IL, and at the age of 45, Sue began a career with the City of Chicago as an Assistant Director of several Neighborhood Service Centers, which was an outgrowth of the Model Cities Program; and
WHEREAS, under the direction of Erwin France, Sue became an exceptional manager and enjoyed working in the various communities assisting residents that needed social services. Her staff always remarked that she was firm but fair and very dedicated to relieving those that suffered the most and retired at the age of 73 only because the program ended; and
WHEREAS, sue continued to be an active volunteer with several organizations including a tour guide at the Field Museum and she currently donates to various causes and especially enjoys supporting the National Museum of African American History, as well as being a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), which is a lay Buddhist organization; and
WHEREAS, Sue was an active tennis player until the age of 80 and is currently very health conscious watching her diet and exercising regularly. She still wears high heeled shoes and enjoys high fashion. and is an avid reader staying abreast of current events and loves to engage in political debates; and
WHEREAS, Sue is currently supported by her daughter and son-in-law who live with her and has two grandsons, Stanley aged 34 and Mose (Jeff) 27; and
WHEREAS, Sue continues to be active with her favorite women’s social group including The Friday Club and The Northeasterners, where she celebrated her 99th birthday with them on February 2nd;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners proudly honors Sue Ish for her amazing life and career as well as her service to the community and to Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and a suitable copy be presented to the family of Ms. Sue Ish.
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