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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING DR. ELIZABETH KELLY FOR HER MANY YEARS OF ACADEMIC WORK AND ACTIVISM
WHEREAS, Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Kelly has taught at DePaul University since 1992; and
WHEREAS, Beth Kelly is a professor of Women’s and Gender Studies and a founding member of DePaul University’s interdisciplinary program in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kelly served as Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at DePaul University for six years; and,
WHEREAS, Beth Kelly has taught no fewer than ten different courses to numerous students in her time at DePaul University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kelly has authored several major publications, including co-authoring the book Telling Our Lives in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Beth Kelly has been an activist for the LGBTQ community for many decades and contributed greatly to various LGBTQ organizations; and
WHEREAS, Beth Kelly was the chairperson of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues; and
WHEREAS, her role as chairperson of the Advisory Council led her to serve as an advisor to both the Commission on Human Relations for the City of Chicago and the Commission of Human Relations Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, Beth Kelly helped to establish the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) in 1978 and began her work there are as office manager; and
WHEREAS, Beth Kelly was a co-founder of the Gay People’s Union, the first LGBT organization on campus, at Stockton State College, with her good friends Kevin Cathcart, who went on to establish Lambda Legal, and Laurel Hester, who played a critical role in domestic partner benefits in Ocean County, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, She received her master’s in education from Harvard University; and
WHEREAS, She received her doctorate in political philosophy from Rutgers University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Kelly has inspired many students into activism and public service throughout her career; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes Dr. Elizabeth Kelly for both the academic and advocacy work she has accomplished over many years; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Cook County Board of Commissioners congratulates Dr. Kelly on her well-deserved retirement from DePaul University; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy be presented to Dr. Beth Kelly.end