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MHWLC President Loisteen Walker proudly displays award with Roosevelt University President, Dr. Ali R. Malekzadeh. Photo by MHWLC Director Antonio Dickey
Freedom Award Goes to MHWLC
MHWLC was honored with Roosevelt University’s prestigious Freedom Award on its inaugural Civic Night, March 6, 2025, the official launch of the university’s 80th anniversary. The award recognizes MHWLC’s contributions to advance Roosevelt’s social justice mission and philanthropic efforts through the Harold Washington Legacy Scholarship at his undergraduate alma mater, the Legacy Brunch, and its recent successful voter registration drive.
“[The Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee’s] generosity has positioned Roosevelt to become more integrated into the fabric of Chicago’s communities,” University President Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D., told Civic Night guests.
The Freedom Award was first presented in 1955 to recognize civic leaders’ contributions to Roosevelt and Chicago. Previous recipients include Coretta Scott King, Pearl S. Buck, Margaret Mead, and alumna Lorraine Hansberry, cited for exemplifying the ideals of freedom and opportunity that are Roosevelt’s core values.
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MHWLC President Loisteen Walker and board members Patricia Arnold, Antonio Dickey, Clarence Jenkins, and Pamela Wilks represented the organization at the event.
Labor History Society Honors Harold
2024 Event Posthumously
Salutes His Advocacy
(Left to Right) MHWLC directors Wyola Evans, Clarence Jenkins, Jerry Stone, Harold's niece Karen Stone, Stanley Young, Dr. Barbara Norman, and Thomas Wortham accept the posthumous award from ILHS. Photo by MHWLC Director Antonio Dickey.
Labor Still Remembers His Contributions
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the Illinois Labor History Society posthumously recognized the late Mayor Harold Washington for his lifelong advocacy of union and human rights and for engaging union members and labor activists during its Union Hall of Honor Banquet Fundraiser. The theme for the annual event celebrating Illinois labor advocates was "Service to the Nation."
The Society expressed its gratitude for Harold's commitment to Labor during his tenures in the Illinois State Senate and House of Representatives from 1965 until 1976, as the Congressman from Illinois’ 1st District from 1981 to 1983, and as Chicago’s 51st Mayor from 1983-1987, when he became the first African American to be elected to that post. Also honored this year were Eric M. Dean, General President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers, and the late Edward M. Smith, Laborers’ Union (LiUNA Local 773) and Chairman and CEO of Ullico.