By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Museum of History has announced its 2015 History Makers to be honored at the 4th annual History Makers Gala.
The honorees are Merlin Kennedy, Margaret “Peg” Kirk, John Kirk, and Sonja Reece. Museum director Greg Koos said these people represent different aspects of the community.
“We wish to celebrate the broad variety of ways in which people participate in the development of our community,” said Koos. “That’s in business, that’s in civil rights, and in education, and in culture.”
Koos added the only rule when choosing History Makers is the nominees must be over the age of 72.
“We feel it’s really important to recognize those folks who might be in retirement, or semi-retirement, who’ve done so much for our community,” said Koos. “We don’t want to forget them. Their active lives might be somewhat behind them, but what they’ve been able to do for our community is worthy of recognition.”
Kennedy is a local civil rights leader who made national headlines as ‘Black Santa’ in the 1966 Bloomington Christmas parade. The longtime president of the NAACP helped pass a fair housing ordinance, established the human relations commissions in Bloomington and Normal, and helped integrate State Farm’s hiring program.
Peg Kirk is beloved teacher and speech coach at Normal Community High School. She elevated the public status of the Unit Five Education Association and gave teachers a stronger voice during contract negotiations. Her community work post-retirement includes the Beyond the Book Foundation and the Evergreen Cemetery Walk.
John Kirk is founder of the first Department of Theatre at Illinois State University, he developed a framework to establish Illinois State University as a top program in the Midwest; a successful author and playwright, his students have significant star power on stage and screen. His work with the Bloomington Kiwanis helped save Camp Limberlost and continues to raise money for local children.
Reece was a six-term Normal Town Council member, she was behind the effort to televise council meetings and energized Town relationships with the general public, ISU and the business community; she was hospital laboratory director before moving into several other management roles where she continues today with Advocate Health Care. She was the first female campaign chair for the United Way of McLean County.
The History Makers Gala will take place June 25 at ISU’s Brown Ballroom. Tickets can be purchased through the museum by calling 309-827-0428 or at mchistory.org.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
