Latest news with #MarieWilkinson
Chicago Tribune
16-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Quad County Urban League celebrates 50 years of creating as ‘family' and ‘game-changer'
Her photo may have been prominently displayed, along with Aurora matriarch Marie Wilkinson's, when the Quad County Urban League celebrated its 50th anniversary at Monday's open house, but Theodia Gillespie was determined to keep the focus of this event on others. With about 40 years working for the League – and over three decades as its president and CEO — Gillespie certainly has been at the forefront of the success of this group, which since July 14, 1975, has been advancing civil rights and empowerment through community partnerships for African-Americans and other underserved populations in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties. Over five decades, the Quad County Urban League has benefited tens of thousands through programs in job training, youth services, education, workforce development and housing advocacy. At this open house, which drew well over 100 guests to the QCUL headquarters on Farnsworth Avenue, Gillespie used her moments at the podium in the packed room to acknowledge the 'visionary' community and business leaders who joined Wilkinson five decades ago after she reached out to the National Urban League to help launch a chapter in Aurora: Jannette Elliott, Ivan Fernandez, Elaine Hegy, John Marion and Charles Thurston. Gillespie also gave credit to the current board of directors, who helped her present 50th anniversary awards to key collaborators, including Challenge to Change, College of DuPage, East Aurora School District, Fox Valley Park District, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, Kane County Health Department, Painters District Council No. 30, University of Illinois 4-H Program, Waubonsee Community College and former league president and CEO Peggy Hicks. There are so many groups and businesses that work to enhance the mission of QCUL … all of which have 'created pathways in skilled trades, healthcare and more …' Gillespie noted. Those include the utility Nicor, which has been with Quad County Urban League since 1975, when it was then known as Northern Illinois Gas. I got to meet a couple of QCUL students enrolled in the Nicor Gas Career Academy, who both insisted that just two weeks into the six-week program, they already realize what a 'game-changer' this opportunity has been. The program, according to 44-year-old Randy Caruthers, is designed to 'train us to be the best employees we can be before walking in the door' as a job candidate. In essence, he said, 'it puts us at the front of the (hiring) line,' by helping 'you be the best version of yourself. And that, he quickly points out, will help land a job in any company. A former construction business owner, Caruthers said it was a major move from Texas to Will County that made him realize he needed a new career start. So, taking the advice of his wife's aunt, who works for Nicor, he decided to enroll in its academy at QCUL. 'I'm so glad I came to his place,' he said. The Nicor academy class of 38 students, by far its biggest, has 'been like a family,' noted 23-year-old Artays Bailey, which has not only made him feel welcomed but has given him more confidence in all aspects of his life. 'I've been networking all day,' added Bailey, who described himself as a 'dedicated warehouser' before taking the advice of a former student now up for a promotion at Nicor. 'I just really love this place and the people.' The open house did indeed feel more like a family reunion, with lots of smiles, hugs and plenty of lively conversation as the guests – partners and community leaders as well as past and current students and staff — toured the facility, heard about current programs and enjoyed the hundreds of photographs through the decades that were on display. Not surprising, the poster photo that seemed to receive the most attention was that of Marie Wilkinson, whose multi-tiered legacy in this community included feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, educating the young and fighting for fair laws and equal rights for everyone. Standing next to Marie's likeness, Gillespie knows just how fortunate she was 'to have a mentor like her,' who tirelessly worked for social justice even into her mid-90s; and who offered a young shy girl, not so long out of college, a chance to carry on a legacy that no doubt will go for at least another 50 years. 'I still feel her voice in my ear,' said Gillespie, '…telling me I can do this.'
Chicago Tribune
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Column: East-West basketball rivalry in Aurora stands the test of time
The late Marie Wilkinson was sometimes said to be the 'matriarch of Aurora.' She was an inspiration to at least two generations of Aurorans as an activist and advocate of equal rights for everyone. She became synonymous with Aurora, and Angela Richardson began to learn more about her from reading newspaper stories in the 1990s. Knowing that the East Aurora—West Aurora athletic rivalry had also become synonymous with Aurora for many people, Richardson had a 'light bulb' moment in 1997. She wondered if she could connect the two 'Aurora stories' in a meaningful way. I interviewed her for a Beacon-News story in 2015, and discovered that she loved Aurora and its diversity. I referenced her as a 'proud daughter' of the city as I learned of her dedication and service. And it began with basketball. 'Mrs. Wilkinson is amazing and is always doing something for someone,' Richardson said in 2015. 'I thought it would be cool if I could do just something. I thought about having an alumni game for former East and West basketball players, and then donating the money to the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center.' The Wilkinson Center offers social, emotional and educational support services for low-income children and families. Richardson felt a special calling to help the center as her mom had been a single mother. With the help of many community leaders and volunteers, the first alumni game was played in 1997 with more than 1,800 fans in attendance. Thousands of dollars were raised for the Wilkinson Center that night. The alumni game has become a tradition, and a ladies' alumni game was added to the program as the years progressed. I have attended many of the games during its 28-year run, and have been impressed by the sportsmanship and community shown by the players and by everyone involved. The basketball rivalry is and always will be intense, but everyone has always seemed to have fun and to display friendship with former rivals. A wonderful memory occurred one year when Marie Wilkinson herself attended the game, and players (some a foot taller than she was) lined up to give her a hug as a tribute and a sign of their gratitude. This year's edition of the East-West Alumni Basketball Game was played on April 11 with another enthusiastic and spirited crowd in attendance. Among them was a smiling Sherri Penson, who for 17 years has been executive director of the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center. 'This game has been a tremendous help in providing adequate care for our kids, and has generated between $5,000 and $10,000 a year,' Penson said. 'It has helped at least 70 children per year to be with us during the summer, and we were also able to purchase a van to help transport our children.' I made it a point to speak with the four alumni who were the 'senior' players on each team — those whose graduations occurred long ago. I was impressed that they had lost almost none of their school spirit, but more impressed at their willingness to participate with the goal of giving back to their common community. They gave brief thoughts on their night of coming back and giving back: 'I have close friends who have worked for the Marie Wilkinson Center, and I have nieces and nephews who have received before- and after-school care. It means a lot to me,' said Andre Newson, West Aurora class of 1998. 'I loved coming to school every day and looking forward to playing basketball, and the East-West game was always the highlight of our year,' said Sky Joiner, West Aurora class of 2005. 'The East-West game was the competition that we looked forward to every year. I'm glad that we've stayed healthy and that we're still playing, especially that this game is for charity,' said Yessenia Cabadas, East Aurora class of 2008. 'I'm glad to be part of giving back to the community. I've lived in Kansas as well, and giving back is something I've taken across the country with me — giving back and sharing what I can,' said Terry Jeffries, East Aurora class of 2004. The evening was ultimately about basketball, and the games did not disappoint. Both the women's and men's games were close and very competitive and exciting. The alumni played as hard and with as much spirit as they had played in their student days. The West Aurora ladies defeated East Aurora 60-58, and were led by the scoring and rebounding of Kina Miller. And in a game reminiscent of the glory days of the East-West rivalry, the West Aurora men defeated East Aurora 103-101 in double overtime. Hezekiah Salter dropped in the winning basket on a drive into the lane during the sudden-death second overtime. To paraphrase the famous Aurora cheer from both sides of the river: 'East is East and West is West, but in Aurora … community pride, sportsmanship, friendship and giving back are best.'
