HISTORY OF
THE FOUNDING OF THE ENHANCEMENT ORGANIZATION OF OLYMPIA FIELDS
By Dr. Helen L. Burleson, Founder
The
Enhancement Organization of Olympia Fields was founded on Sunday, October
16, 1994 at the Graymoor home of Dr. Helen L. Burleson, when she called
together a group of neighbors to address a troubling issue in the Village of
Olympia Fields. The only full-time African-American Olympia Fields police
officer, Officer Lytheria O’Connor was accused of misconduct regarding a
court appearance. The officer was supposed to be suspended for 3 days
without pay, and this incident was to be cited in his personnel file as an
attempt to defraud the Village.
Many residents of
the Village attended the Board meeting to determine whether Officer O’Connor
was being given due process, and to ascertain the facts. Not satisfied with
the course of action that the Board took, the citizens remained even after
the Board resumed proceedings after going into executive session. When the
Board reconvened after the closed session, the Board decided not to penalize
Officer O’Connor any further and not to put anything negative in his
personnel file.
Because Dr. Burleson
has always been a community activist and a champion of the underdog, she
felt it was time for the community to come together to address any
unresolved problems and issues. Many of the new arrivals, who were mainly,
African-Americans complained that they felt isolated and overlooked by the
Village administration at that time.
Among the neighbors
who attended that first meeting were the following: Mr. and Mrs. James Matz,
Irene Kertchaval, Mary Berry, Drs. Kelvin and Jan Spivey-Gilchrist, Barbara
Pierce, John Horton, Richard Allen, Rev. Clifford Turner, Dr. Rosemary
Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. James Owens, Phyllis Luster, Claudia Horton, Dr. and
Doughe Barthelemy, James Meredith, Dr. Elaine Shannon, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby
Matthews and Dr. and Mrs. Roy Guster.
The group initially
used the name Friends of Olympia Fields. A committee was formed to come up
with an official name for the organization; and, it was that committee that
suggested the name by which the organization is now known, The Enhancement
Organization of Olympia Fields, popularly also known as EOOF.
John Horton and
Richard Allen were asked to co-chair the organization and to prepare an
agenda for the next meeting. Mrs. Irene Kertchaval was asked to serve as
the chair of the Public Relations Committee. Dr. Rosemary Bowen was asked
to chair the membership committee.
The organization
experienced some growing pains and initially there was a turnover of
presidents. After John Horton and Richard Allen stepped down, there was a
brief period when Mr. Clarence Smithson, chaired.
The next president
was Claudia Horton, unrelated to John Horton. Claudia served during 1995.
Dr. Burleson was
charged with developing a mission statement for the organization. The
mission statement was adopted and is recited at every meeting in order to
keep focused on the organization’s goals as stated through its mission
statement.
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The Mission Statement is as follows:
·
To educate the community
about issues of importance for our success as a community
·
To maintain a high quality
of life through the preservation of our homes, our resources, and to assure
the safety and wellbeing of our citizens
·
To remain vigilant, to
cooperate and to assist in the education of our children and to provide
moral, intellectual, and actual support to the schools wherever and whenever
we are needed
To implement the
Mission and to further develop a plan and strategy for the organization,
special programs were formulated. The term, Spotlight was used for the
various issues to be explored. In keeping with the emphasis to assure the
wellbeing and safety of our citizens, there was a Spotlight on Law
Enforcement and Public Safety which involved the various branches of law
enforcement from local, state, federal, gang-crimes, and the DEA.
Irene Kertchaval
formulated this program.
To meet the EOOF
commitment, “….to assist the schools whenever and wherever we are needed,” a
Spotlight on Education was presented with Dr. Elaine Shannon, chairman of
the Education Committee presiding. The superintendents and principals of
Districts 162 and 227 were invited to give a State of the Schools report.
The annual” Getting
to Know You Celebration” was the brainchild of Dr. Burleson designed to
bring together the established residents with the new arrivals who felt
isolated and left out.
It was during the
planning of the first annual “Getting to Know You Celebration” in 1995, that
Mrs. Beverly Sokol and Mr. and Mrs. Deever Rockwell attended their first
meeting..
In making plans for
the “Getting to Know You Celebration,” Claudia Horton resigned because of a
dispute regarding the décor and emphasis on the occasion. Lura Matthews
insisted that the theme should be Christmas. Dr. Burleson prevailed upon
the group to consider the fact that everyone in the diverse community did
not celebrate Christmas. In order to make everyone feel welcome, which was
the goal of the celebration, it was necessary to respect the ethnic and
religious diversity of the community.
After Mrs. Horton
resigned in 1995, the group nominated Mrs. Patricia Richardson to chair.
She was the first to serve a 2-year term from 1995-1997.
The next chair to
serve a full term was Beverly Sokol, who served from 1997-2000. During her
tenure Beverly Sokol advocated for and got media exposure, appearing on
radio and TV, including the Sunday show, Chicagoing, hosted by Bill
Campbell. During her tenure she caused the membership to grow to nearly 400
members.
Mr. Charles Jackson
served as president from 2000-2003.
Rich Pozdol served
as president from 2003-2006.
The current
president, Mr. Ernest Gibson was elected in 2006 and continues to serve.
During his stewardship, the Enhancement Organization collaborated with the
Village Administration in presenting a formal celebration, Getting To Know
You Gala held at the Olympia Fields Country Club.
Mr. Walter Jackson
and his daughter, Ms. Vicki Jackson served as Archivists from 1995 until the
untimely death of Vicki Jackson in 2000. In 2000 Mrs. Gerlene Oliver took
over the responsibility as Archivist and has preserved our history in a very
effective and efficient manner. The Archives are now housed at the old
Village Hall.
Mr. & Mrs. James
Hawthorne were Hospitality Chairs. Other long serving officers were Doris
Meredith who served as treasurer for most of the existence of the EOOF.
Mrs. Patti Taylor was the Social Chairperson and was responsible for very
successful fund raisers given in conjunction with Governors’ State
University, including, River North Dancers, Lady Smith Black Mombasa, the
group from South Africa discovered by Paul Simon, and the four Ladies of the
Pack. James Meredith was the publisher of the quarterly newsletter. Elaine
Schneider served as Membership Chair. Shirley Nale was the EOOF secretary
for many years. Cassandra Matz, Mogda Walker and Melanese Brookins served
on the social committee and prepared and served refreshments at most social
functions. Mrs. Gerri Smothers, the Parliamentarian developed the Mentoring
Program for Rich Central High School.
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Other members who
held offices at times and contributed to the growth of EOOF and served as
officers are Dorothy Kloss, Second Vice President in charge of fund raising,
Edmund Verbeke, Treasurer, Gwen Bowen, Education Chair. Jerry Pierson,
Karen Floyd, Hospitality Chair, Sharon Bean, Program Chair, Delphine Taylor,
Publicity, and Earl Bell, Education Chair.
Additionally there
were other players like Ruben Heffner, Edward McKennie, Linda Mitchell, Pat
and Joe Maun, and Mona Engelberg.
Mr. David Oliver
served as Education Chair and after exhaustive research had his committee to
report to the Board of Education of District 227 addressing the school
report card. Also participating in this Board presentation was Mr. Robert
Nale, who analyzed test scores and Dr. Helen Burleson who emphasized the
importance of parental involvement in the education process. Others who
served on the Education Committee were Ethel Collier, James Matz , Cassandra
Matz, Gerri Smothers, Arlene Burke, Lynda Wiley and Fred Veazey.
Mr. Oliver and Dr.
Burleson, serving as mentors, took a group of Rich Central High School
students interested in architecture to the architectural firm of Skidmore,
Merrill, Owens where they met with one of the full partners. The students
were given a tour of the facility and got an opportunity to observe the
architects at work using the CAD technique (Computer Activated Design).
Later they took both a walking tour of landmark buildings in downtown
Chicago and went on the architectural boat ride which took them through the
canal separating the Chicago River from Lake Michigan. The students were
given an official book of the various architectural projects from all over
the world where SMO had designed and built award winning projects. They were
given a lesson in the economy when they were told that several projects
scheduled to be developed in Asia were on hold because of the decline of the
yen. This book autographed by the partner, William Wesley, was dedicated
with the names of each participating student and was then donated to the
Rich Central High School library. Additionally the students visited the
Brazley Architectural firm in Matteson where they were given an opportunity
to interact with the architects. Also Dr. Burleson, a Real Estate Broker,
took the students to tour a home under construction where she showed them
how to read blue prints and explained the various phases of new
construction. She also had some shadow her in her real estate office.
Gerri Smothers had students shadowing her in her company, Professional
Dynamic Network of which she is the owner and CEO.
Some students were
given an opportunity to work at Jewel’s in Olympia Fields. A couple of them
worked with the Olympia Fields Police Department. Medical professionals
mentored students, included among the professionals were Albert Reynolds,
M.D., Glenda Manley-Ashley, M.D., and Debra Davis, R. PH
Another valuable
experience afforded students interested in medicine was a tour of Ingalls
Hospital where Dr. Lipschultz, the husband of member Janice Lipschultz
arranged for the students to visit the X-Ray department. Mrs. Gerri
Smothers and Dr. Burleson escorted this group of students.
In June of 1997,
Gerri Smothers, the Parliamentarian, lead the group in strategic planning
which resulted in the group formulating their Vision Statement: * To become
the number one community that successfully maintains diversity and has
schools of excellence and influences public policy.”
The organization has
kept the community informed by annually sponsoring Candidates Forums in
conjunction with the League of Women Voters. The organization participated
in an Olympia Fields Law Enforcement class designed to instruct women and
others interested in the techniques needed to protect themselves.
The organization has
sponsored Art Fairs, Garden Walks, and has participated in all the
activities sponsored by the Village like the President’s Golf Outing, the
Annual Fall Family Festival and the 75th Anniversary Celebration.
The organization is
in its 14th year and continues to grow in influence and service
to the community.
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