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Children’s Home & Aid Honors Chicago Couple For Dedication to Children and Families

CHICAGO DEFENDER — At their 99th September Gala, the Children’s Home & Aid Woman’s Board presented John and Fran Edwardson with the 2019 Pauline K. Palmer Award. The award is bestowed on outstanding members of the community who advocate for and are active volunteers on behalf of children. The Edwardsons’ professional and volunteer work has had a significant impact on children across Chicagoland.

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(l-r) Fran and John Edwardson (Photo by: chicagodefender.co)

At their 99th September Gala, the Children’s Home & Aid Woman’s Board presented John and Fran Edwardson with the 2019 Pauline K. Palmer Award. The award is bestowed on outstanding members of the community who advocate for and are active volunteers on behalf of children. The Edwardsons’ professional and volunteer work has had a significant impact on children across Chicagoland.

John is the retired Chairman & CEO of CDW and former President & COO of United Airlines. Fran served as CEO for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago from 2005-2016. The Edwardsons support many community efforts, including; Children’s Home & Aid, Advance Illinois, Habitat for Humanity, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Rush University Medical Center and Lincoln Park Zoo. The Pauline K. Palmer Award is the highest award given by the board and is named after the group’s first president and the daughter-in-law of famous Chicago matriarch Bertha Palmer.

“John and Fran Edwardson are exemplary examples of civic-minded compassion. Their generous support of Children’s Home & Aid and other organizations has provided critical services to children and families. Their lifelong commitment to philanthropy is making a difference throughout the city and across the world,” said Michael J. Shaver, president & CEO of Children’s Home & Aid.

The black tie fundraiser, co-chaired by Erin Quinn and Shawna Radzik, took place at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. The September Gala’s hosts included Abbott, Anonymous, Mr. and Mrs. John Edwardson, Mr. & Mrs. Cyrus F. Freidheim Family, ITW, Lisbeth Stiffel, and Mr. Paul Wood & the Honorable Corinne Wood. The sponsors were CDW, DHR International, McNamara Purcell Foundation, John and Alexandra Nichols, Northern Trust and Mrs. Barbara Speer. The gala featured emcee Andrea Thome and the music of the Stu Hirsh Orchestra.

The gala raised nearly $700,000 to benefit the Children’s Home & Aid’s Mitzi Freidheim Englewood Child & Family Center, the Marletta Darnall Schaumburg Child & Family Center, and the Jerri Hoffmann Child & Family Center in Carpentersville. These Children’s Home & Aid community child and family centers provide programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, and Raising a Reader for children ages six weeks to six years. They also provide GED and parenting programs for families in the communities where they reside. In the last decade, the fundraising efforts of the Woman’s Board have gone to support early childhood education and raised nearly $7 million towards the cause.

To learn more, visit www.childrenshomeandaid.org.

This article originally appeared in the Chicago Defender.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

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Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

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The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

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