McLean County Museum of History announces 2019 History Makers

Posted on March 19, 2019
The McLean County Museum of History announced Tuesday its 2019 History Makers honorees. (Photos McLean County Museum of History)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – A couple who shaped the community through politics, a nurse, and an equal rights advocate are this year’s History Makers to be honored by the McLean County Museum of History.

This year’s recipients are Richard Buchanan, former Mayor of Bloomington, his wife Judy, former nurse and community volunteer Jana Edge and local NAACP member and equal rights advocate Henry Gay.

“These individuals perfectly embody the sense of dedication and spirit of community here in McLean County,” said museum Director Adam Lovell.

The History Makers Gala annualy recognizes senior citizens whose outstanding, lifelong contributions have helped to make McLean County a better place to live.

The eighth annual gala is June 19th at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center. Tickets will be available at the museum and at mchistory.org.

For honoree bios click here.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…