Lena Jordan, my Grandmother came to Champaign, Illinois in 1914.
She was a gracious lady, a homemaker, gardener and super cook.
She loved entertaining her family, friends and neighbors. She
passed that legacy on to my mother, Willie C. Pyles Hornbuckle.
Mom too loved entertaining her family, friends and neighbors.
She also enjoyed community involvement. She served on the Human
Relations Commission of Champaign County for several terms; Parent
Teacher Association President of Lawhead and Willard Schools and
retired from the University of Illinois Snack Bars as Supervisor.
As for me, I too enjoyed many of the same involvements; entertaining
family and friends, cooking, decorating and community involvement.
I served on the Champaign/Urbana Parent Teacher Council, was President
of Lawhead and Washington School P.T.A.; and the Champaign County
Urban League Auxiliary.
While raising a family, I worked several part-time jobs. Later,
I launched a 28 year career with the University of Illinois. I
retired as Personnel Director of the Illini Union and Affirmative
Action Officer.
The legacy of work ethics, entertaining, etc. continued with
my 4 children, 3 of whom are featured in this article. Sharlyne
J. Wallace of Normal, Illinois, is employed as the Assistant Director
of University Communications at Illinois Wesleyan University,
Bloomington, Illinois; Rhonda L. Kornegay, Administrative Aide
for the Dean of the College of Communications, University of Illinois,
Champaign-Urbana Campus; Cathy J. Williams, Springfield, Illinois
is employed as a Secretary for the Department of School Support,
Illinois State Board of Education. I must say, Champaign, Illinois
has definitely proved to be a wonderful city for raising a family
and preparing for a career. The love of family, friends and community
has been a contributing factor in all our accomplishments.
Lucia
M. Green, The Women in My Life
)
denotes original charter members of the Champaign County Section
of the National Council of Negro Women.