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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING PEGGY A. MONTES: COMMUNITY LEADER, TEACHER, AND ADVOCATE FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN
WHEREAS, Peggy A. Montes was born on October 17, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois. Peggy graduated from DuSable High School in 1954; and
WHEREAS Peggy A. Montes attended Chicago State University and graduated in 1960. Peggy Montes devoted over sixty years of her life giving back to her alma mater as Chairman and Trustee of the Board and one of the founders of the College of Pharmacy. Additionally, Peggy Montes dedicated the Peggy A. Montes Playground at the new Chicago State University Child Care Center; and
WHEREAS, Peggy A. Montes served her community as a teacher for many years. After her teaching career concluded, she led organizations and founded institutions that served her community; and
WHEREAS, in 1978, Peggy A. Montes began devoting her energy to philanthropic and volunteer work. She served as a chairperson on the Board of Trustees for the DuSable Museum of African American History Museum from 1989 to 1993. While in this role she oversaw the construction of the museum's Harold Washington wing. In 1993, Peggy founded and became the President of the Bronzeville Children’s Museum, the first African American children's museum in the country; and
WHEREAS, Peggy A. Montes made history as the first female Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Building Committee at the DuSable Museum of African American History. During her tenure, she led the development and completion of the $3.5 million Harold Washington Wing. She now holds the position of Chairman Emerita; and
WHEREAS, Peggy A. Montes had an extensive career in politics, all across the political spectrum. President Bill Clinton appointed her to the White House Women’s Conference, presided over by First Lady Hillary Clinton. Governors James Thompson, Jim Edgar, George Ryan, and Pat Quinn have given her appointments. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has appointed her to serve on the Illinois Center for the Book. Chicago Mayor Harold Washington appointed her to head his first Chicago Commission on Women. The late Cook County Board President, John H. Stroger, Jr. selected her to head his first Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues created in 1995.
WHEREAS, On March 16, 2010, the Cook County Board of Commissioners and members of the Commission on Women’s Issues renamed the Unsung Heroine in Peggy A. Montes’ honor as a way of recognizing her remarkable achievements on behalf of women and girls; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle reappointed her in 2016. to continue serving as Commissioner/Chairman for her twenty-third year. She was selected as a member of Illinois Governor Ryan’s Trade Mission Delegation to South Africa and she and First Lady Laura Lynn led the delegation to explore cultural exchanges between Illinois and South Africa. She was selected as a participant in President’s Barack Obama’s White House Summit on Working Families in 2015. Additionally, Congressman Bobby Rush appointed her to co-chair the committee to name the 31st Street Margaret T. Burroughs Beach and Park, which successfully took place on August 11, 2015; and
WHEREAS, , Peggy A. Montes has received numerous awards and honors over her lifetime, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of African American Museums, Trustee Award from the DuSable Museum, Salute to Excellence Award from Governor George Ryan, Woman of Excellence Award from the Chicago Defender, the Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Lifetime Award and many more; and
WHEREAS, Peggy A. Montes is known as a community, educational, and women’s rights activist. Peggy was passionate about being an advocate and made huge strides to make so many people's lives better; and
NOW, THEREFORE, WE, BILL LOWRY, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER of the 3rd DISTRICT AND TONI PRECKWINKLE, PRESIDENT of the COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, do hereby stand, and salute the life changing work of Peggy A. Montes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a suitable copy of this Resolution will be presented to the family of; and Peggy A. Montes.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: a copy of this Resolution will be filed within the Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd District.
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