Maria Cerda - A Latina trailblazer in the midst of Chicago

• Chicago
• Education
• Women's History Month

Maria Cerda, a proud Puerto Rican woman, left behind a legacy of remarkable change and progression. Upon receiving her psychology degree from the University of Puerto Rico, she pursued her master’s in social work at the University of Chicago. Eventually, she began work as a public aid caseworker at Hull House.

Cerda was part of a series of monumental activities and groundbreaking initiatives. In 1966, she marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Marquette Park. In 1969, Cerda became the first Latina member of the Chicago Board of Education. With her position, she strongly advocated for and introduced bilingual education to Chicago schools.

After serving on the board, she co-founded the Latino Institute, a Hispanic research organization. The purpose of this foundation was to inquire and attain improved housing, business development, and job training. The Institute’s creation resulted in President Jimmy Carter appointing Cerda to the National Council on Educational Research. Cerda was sparking change and contributing to improved educational systems.

Cerda was later appointed head of the Office of Employment and Training for Chicago City Hall by Mayor Harold Washington. In her role, she secured funding for the surrounding underprivileged and neglected communities. She was set on addressing undiscussed issues.

However, during that time, Cerda had an unfortunate encounter with immigration agents. In a case that was evidently racial profiling, she became concerned for other Chicago residents, and she brought the issue forward to Mayor Washington. Consequently, the mayor issued the nation’s first ordinance prohibiting any collaboration between city officials or residents with immigration authorities and prevented these agents from using city facilities or property for any purpose.

Cerda later became a member of a national bilingual advisory council for the Children’s Television Workshop and consulted for a number of popular TV shows, including ‘Sesame Street,” interested in entailing the Spanish-language.

She also contributed to the development of Aspira of Illinois, an organization that originally strived to prepare Hispanic/ Latino children for higher education. It continues to embrace this mission but has broaden its scope to include the management and operation of government-funded charter schools.

In her pursuit of fulfilling the Latino communities’ needs and shedding light on inequalities, Cerda became a well-known pioneer. As a mentor and overall trailblazer, Cerda actively advocated for the wellness and advancement of the Latino community. 

Bring in Women’s History Month by Celebrating Chicago Native Gwendolyn Brooks

• Women
• Illinois History
• African-American History

Gwendolyn Brooks was a famous American poet from Chicago. Born June 7, 1917, Brooks held a passion for writing poetry from a young age, having her first poem published at 13. She was published in Chicago Defender, a newspaper for African Americans in Chicago, by the time she was 17. After attending Wilson Junior College, now known as Kennedy-King College, and working for the NAACP, Brooks began centering her poems on the urban Black experience. This became part of her first collection of poems, “A Street in Bronzeville.”

Brooks’ unique writing style combined comedy with irony to portray the struggles people face. In 1950, Brooks became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize.

Brooks published her first and only book in 1953, “Maud Martha.” The book focused on the discrimination that a dark skin Black women faced. Later into Brooks’ career, she began highlighting politics. A change in Brooks’ writing style when she was in her 50s was seen as a pivotal point. That change has been credited to her attendance at a Black writers gathering that took place at Fisk University. Brooks then transitioned from a traditional writing style to a free verse style.

Brooks was declared a “Living Legend” by Congress. She received over 70 honorary degrees, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Endowment of the Arts. In 1994, she received the highest government honor for career achievement in the humanities, Jefferson Lecturer.

Brooks taught at several colleges including Chicago State University. Brooks said that her biggest accomplishment was her work with children. She spent 30 years sponsoring poetry competitions for students.

Her life and legacy lives on through the words she wrote. Brooks remains one of the most famous African American poets.

Appreciating Illinois' Black artists

• Black History Month
• Art
• BlackArtists

Originating back to the early 1900s, Black History Month is an opportunity to place a spotlight on the history, the culture and the feats of Black people. The Black community continues to excel as pioneers and innovators. Illinois is home to a large number of artists and entrepreneurs. We appreciate and highlight the pronounced dedication to their craft. This is a list of a few Black Illinois artists who produce breathtaking bodies of art:

Dwight White II – This artist and creative consultant is from the greater Chicago area. He challenges himself in pursuit of an insightful agenda to promote expression and authentic conversations. As a strategist and multi-disciplinary creative, White devises a conglomerate of radiant colors, beauty, power, experience, life, and raw emotion into his paintings and his words. Check out his work at http://www.dwhiteart.com/artwork.

Martha A. Wade – Observant of her artist father while being raised in Oak Park, Wade’s desire to become engulfed in her own world of art grew. In 2000, Wade attended the University of Michigan for a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. She was fearful to chase her dreams of becoming an artist. However, she returned to school in 2008 to pursue her passion in which she received her Masters of Art Management. Years later, Wade’s art may be found within the country but also internationally in countries such as Scotland, Ireland, and Sweden. Her art is a composite of boldness, meditative practice, muse, existential realities, the highest self, and the feminine essence. You may view her art at http://www.wadecreate.com/favs.

Natalie Osborne – Influenced by the Chicago atmosphere and the intricacies of various expressive worlds like fashion and graffiti, Osborne presents original contemporary work highlighting the beauties of black women. She advocates and creates artwork to support the mission of criminal justice organizations such as the Innocence Project. She encourages other creators to continue pursuing their skill, and if they are feeling lost, she advises they find a cause and allow their art to speak for it. She is very popular among interior designers. If interested in viewing some of her current pieces, go to https://bettershared.co/collections/natalie-osborne.

Nikko Washington – Raised in Hyde Park, Washington has absorbed the cultural essence of his environment and incorporated its aesthetic touches into his body of artwork. He currently holds the position of artistic director for SaveMoney, a Chicagoan hip-hop collective. In this role, Washington has been asked to design album covers for a number of musicians, like Kami, Vic Mensa, and Towkio. He specializes in different art styles and forms. From painting to screen-printing and graphic design, Washington produces an explosion of color and emotion when he encounters a canvas. To preview his work, visit https://www.nikkowashington.com/.

Tyler Clark – Affiliated with many top celebrities and companies, this Chicago artist experiments with unique forms of art. She creates 2D and 3D crafts by incorporating hair, fabrics, and jewelry. Her pieces display a flare of women’s empowerment and a sort of authenticity. Clark’s artwork has repeatedly been featured in galas and exclusive events. She remains an inspiration to young girls and urges the acceptance of Black beauty as she continues making strides in the art industry. Check out her work at her personal art website: https://inspiredbytyler.com/.

Illinois has one of the highest machinist employment rates in the country.

• Trade

Illinois is the second in the nation in employment of machinist. Machinists are tradespeople that create precise parts from machining tools. Machinists are tasked with creating, repairing, or modifying objects that are usually made of metal.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois employs over 28,000 machinists, the only state that employees more is California. Illinois takes the lead in employment of machinists by area with Chicago, Naperville and Elgin having over 19,000 employees in the field. Rockford has the highest level of concentration of machinist jobs in the U.S.

Although they generally work with metals, they sometimes work with woods, glass, and plastics. When small parts are needed, machinists will manually set up the machine to make those pieces. For larger scale pieces Computer Numerically Controlled – or CNC – is used. CNC is equipment that is run by computers that cuts and shapes down metals to a desired size. While these pieces are being created the machinists pays close attention to it to make sure the machine is operating as expected. Once these pieces are cut down, they are inspected by engineers.

There are a variety of different types of machinists. There are machinists –known as production machinists – who specialize in a specific part. This machinist will produce large quantities of the same objects. Another common machinist is the automotive machinist, who operates on cars.

To become a machinist, one must have a high school diploma or GED. Once this is acquired, a person can learn how to be a machinist from a program through a trade school, apprenticeship, community college, or by getting an associate’s degree for it.

Machinists are essential workers who help people get the exact piece of equipment they need. Illinois is doing at a wonderful job at employing machinist and utilizing their services.