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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING MRS. MILDRED AUSTIN KENERSON 100TH BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, On April 27, 2019, 175 friends and family from across the United States gathered to celebrate Mrs. Mildred Austin Kenerson 100th Birthday at the historic Parkway Ballroom; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mildred Austin Kenerson, affectionately known as “Red”, was born in Braxton (Simpson, County), Mississippi on April 29, 1919 to the late Eddie and Idella Harper Perkins; and
WHEREAS, She was educated in the Rosenwald School for Negro Children and the historic Piney Woods Country Life School founded by Dr. Laurence C. Jones in 1909; and
WHEREAS, while attending Jackson State College (University), she obtained her Teaching Certificate to educate the students in segregated Simpson County; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mildred Kenerson is a woman of great faith who loves her “Home” Church, St. John Baptist Church in Braxton, Mississippi, which was founded in 1865 by her grandparents and other families from the community. Her only living sibling, Billy Ray Perkins currently serves as a Deacon and Trustee; and
WHEREAS, seeking opportunities in the North, Mrs. Mildred Kenerson relocated to Troy, New York in 1943 where she worked at an Ammunition Plant during World War II. She was a faithful member of Bethel Methodist Church and the Troy, New York Branch of the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, in 1948 she married the late Rowland Austin and had two children, Rowland Austin of Matteson, Illinois and Carolyn Austin of Orlando. Florida; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mildred Kenerson has been a resident of Chicago’s Westside since 1958. She was a member of the New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church founded by the late Rev. D. B. Bishop where she was active with the Ministers and Deacon’s Wives. She later fellow shipped with her sister Mary Lee at Holy Starlight Baptist Church, founded by the late Rev. C. H. Porter, who baptized both of her children; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, she married the late John Dubois Kenerson, President of the Standard Burial Insurance Company, founded in 1952 and located on West Madison Street. She joined him at the Greater New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church pastored by the late Rev. Claude Clayton. Together with her sisters and close friends, they were members of the Universal Charity Club, which provided community service to families in need. She is a member of Holy Starlight Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Royal Simmons, serves as Senior Pastor; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mildred Kenerson was an employee of the Chicago Public Schools. From 1969-1999 she worked at the Daniel Webster Elementary School on Arthington Street as a Cadre performing various positions including teaching and reading. Faculty and parents fondly remember her creative Bulletin Boards throughout the school and decorations for the 8th Grade Graduations. Often described as someone who always tries to be kind to others, and one who lives by the Golden Rule in “treating people right”. Others describe her as being very humble and grateful for everything you do for her. Those who know her say she is always smiling, has a great sense of humor; one who takes pride in her appearance. Mrs. Kenerson is surrounded and loved by many “Young’uns” which include children of close friends and the friends of Rowland and Carolyn; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Mildred Kenerson enjoys a variety of activities such as baking her infamous “S” cookies and Fruit Cake. During the holidays, she shares her Cranberry Sauce and Apple Sauce with family and friends. Since her Retirement, she enjoys spending hours completing Word Search Puzzles and watching her favorite game shows. She especially enjoys creating hand make Birthday and other special occasion cards, and decorations for various Churches. Her lesson in living is best described in the words of a familiar song: Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see, and all I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that President Preckwinkle along with the Cook County Board of Commissioners and on behalf of the 5.3 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating Mrs. Mildred Austin Kenerson on for one hundred birthday and wishes her continued health and happiness for years to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution is shared upon the official proceedings of this honorable body and that an official copy of the same is tendered to Mrs. Mildred Austin Kenerson in honor of this auspicious occasion
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