What is the legacy of the late, great Mayor of Chicago Harold Washington? It should be noted he laid the template and pathways leading to the elections of the First Black Woman Federal Senator, Carol Mosely-Braun, then that of President Obama. Plus in Chicago stands, per his plans and funding initiatives, the Harold Washington Library, which is the largest, best rated public library in the USA behind the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Oh....the downtown City College is named after him and features his photo in its lobby, with Harold reading about his election victory.
In this photo is Harold Washington, before he announced he would run for Mayor. Then Senator Braun, when she was a State of Illinois Senator, Then Arthur Turner who at the time was the yongest ever elected to the Illinois State House. It was a fundraiser, called, "Art For Art Turner", given in the Canter Home, because his district was in danger of being gerrymandered out. Lastly, art by Citizen Onli, Rhythmistic Visual Artist, who has been teaching att he Harold Washington College for 17 years and running, in tribute to the living legacy of "Harold!"
Sen. Turner would later be returned to the Illinois State House as an elected official. There is much more to unpack of the legacy of the Late Great Mayor Harold Washington who would have been 100 years old today.
