ILLINOIS REGISTER 9546
09
PROCLAMATIONS
WHEREAS, Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin has shared her love of knowledge and her
heartfelt belief in the transformative power of education with students in Virginia,
Michigan and Illinois throughout her long career; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin has championed the cause of literacy and
learning by serving as Director of the Right to Read Project at Northwestern
University, as a member of the ad hoc selection committee for Teacher Corps,
Roosevelt University, as an adjunct professor in reading at Roosevelt University
and Governors State University, as both a member and president of the School
Board of East Hazel Crest Public School, and as tutor chairman and coordinator at
the Grande Prairie Public Library in Hazel Crest; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin joined forces with a group of community-minded
women in 1968 to found the Theta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, providing service and leadership to the south suburbs of Chicago;
and
WHEREAS, Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin and her service as the first president of the
Theta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were honored in 1995
with the creation of the Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin Foundation, which
has provided more than $100,000 to fund academic scholarships and service
programs for the people in the south suburban Chicago community; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin has been married to James Franklin since
August 22, 1958; and
WHEREAS, Josephine Elizabeth Seaton Franklin has served her students and her community
with unflagging dedication, devotion and generosity of spirit for the past six
decades:
THEREFORE, I, Pat Quinn, Governor of the State of Illinois, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2009
as DR. JOSEPHINE ELIZABETH SEATON FRANKLIN DAY in Illinois, in recognition of
her lifelong service to the community.
Issued by the Governor June 18, 2009
Filed by the Secretary of State June 22, 2009
2009-209
Juneteenth Day
