title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF EVELYN "EVIE" SHERMAN RADEN
WHEREAS, Evelyn "Evie" Sherman Raden, a relentless activist for social justice, has died after a long illness. She was 82. Evie was raised in Albany Park by Max and Mary Sherman, who instilled the crucial importance of building communities and fighting for justice; and
WHEREAS, Evie was a two-term alderwoman in Evanston, representing the 4th Ward. She was a long-time resident of Evanston who served as a passionate advocate for many causes before, during and after her two terms, earning a reputation for fearlessly standing up to powerful institutions and people. Her accomplishments on the Council include early advocacy for the Youth Job Center to aid Evanston youth in job placement and career counseling; support for Hecky Powell's "Neighbors at Work", a social service agency that provided food, utility, and housing support to needy Evanston residents; successful opposition to a semi-private pact between the City of Evanston and Northwestern to develop a research park west of downtown Evanston; and pushing for citizen input at Council meetings during the "Citizens' First Speak-Out" time to address the council. When her time as an Alderwoman coincided with a turn to the right in the White House, she became a vibrant, articulate voice, responding locally to conservative policies at the national level; and
WHEREAS, Evie loved solving problems for her constituents as well. But the quality of what set her apart was her absolute refusal to remain quiet. When she thought regular people were being harmed by political decisions, destructive policies or systems, she was fearless in speaking out and battling for change. She could wear people down with her tenacity. "And she was always willing to go it alone, when she felt it was necessary to speak truth to power," commented her son Tony; and
WHEREAS, Evie was pivotal in many campaigns at the local, state, and national levels. She...
Click here for full text