We were inspired over the past few weeks by a most amazing
client and her family!
Among other feats, Bobbie Steele was the first African
American woman President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and also
the longest serving in the history of Cook County government. She’s retired
now, so we were lucky enough to get to help her transition to her next phase after
60 years: moving to a much smaller space.
This was not her first transition, as I learned after
reading Woman of Steele—A Personal and Political Journal. Hailing from farm
life in the South, Bobbie made her adult life in Chicago and with her husband, raised
a family and earned a Bachelors’ degree in 1966, which helped her achieved her dream to be an
elementary school teacher. At our first meeting, Bobbie was quick to credit her
Mother, Mary Jane Rodges, for pushing her to pursue education. But after seeing
her room filled with awards, it was clear that it was Bobbie who made it
happen.
As a teacher and mother, Bobbie’s engagement in local
community service earned an excellent reputation in her neighborhood in North
Lawndale. She met and worked with others collaboratively and eventually was
asked to run for Cook County Board of Commissioners—and won in a landslide!
This was an extraordinary transition alone, taking great faith and courage.
Bobbie worked to ensure minority and female participation in
county contract bids. She was a beacon for change as well as a champion of human
rights and ethics ordinances. If she weren’t so darn impressive a human being
already, the pursuit of ethics in Cook County became the capstone to her
legacy.
Meeting this amazing woman and spending hours with her brought
this legend to life as she was sharp, humble, kind and surrounded by her family
every single day. They, too, live her legacy. It is no surprise she earned the
respect of so many.
What an honor to serve her. What an honor, indeed. Normally
at the end of a project when the resettling is over, our clients usually have
tears of joy at the relief they feel after being welcomed into their new home,
which has been completely put back together for them.
It was the opposite with Bobbie, this Woman of Steele. She was
visibly pleased but I was the one with tears of joy in getting to know her. Of
course, she was the rock as she told me, “I have been through much more difficult
times.” And of course I lingered, promising to stop by to check in on her.
Thank you, Bobbie. For setting an example. For inspiring our
team with your kindness and giving me more faith in the future as goodness
prevails--clearly!
PS: If any one of you would like to be inspired too, check
out Bobbie's autobiography: Woman of Steele: A
Personal and Political Journal by Bobbie Steele and a Biography about
Bobbie’s Mother, A Broom and a Mop Just
Won’t Do, by Brenda R. Brand.
PSS: As she approved this post, Bobbie had more wisdom to add.
"Thank
you for those kind and encouraging remarks in your blog about your moving
experience of my 60 year collection of stuff. Most of which I love and hated
to part with. Memories of: moods of happiness, moods of excitement, moods of sadness,
but you guided me through what I think is best for me to complete the journey
we call life.
I
have entered a new season of life and with your help, Mary, it looks like it is
more exciting than my past experiences. You made the transition smoother than I
could ever imagine.
I
feel relieved about making tough decisions about many of my treasured items:
precious moments with family and friends over my career as young mother, a
working mother, a community organizer and a committed public servant.
Thanks
again and maybe I can come work for you one day when I get my new place fully
functioning. You and the beautiful ladies that helped are wonderful .
Sent
from my iPhone
Your
blog is good to go."
----
Of
course, Bobbie is welcome on our team any time at all.