In Loving Memory of Barbara Rose

The staff, Board of Directors, program patners and commmunity of supporters mourn the loss of Bright Promises Board Director and tireless advocate for children, Barbara Rose, who passed away July 14, 2017.

Barbara joined the Bright Promises Foundation Board of Directors in 2010. Her fellow Directors described her as "a breathe of fresh air" and "a passionate and committed force for good in this world." Barbara served on Bright Promises Program Committee and during her time on the Board helped to grant over a million dollars to child-serving organizations throughout Chicagoland. Her dedication to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive no matter where they are born or grow up made her a true champion for children.

When she joined the Board in 2010, Barbara described herself as a "lifelong volunteer and feminist activist." When her own three children were grown, Barbara rededicated herself to giving back to the community: "I started questioning how my time, experience, and money could be focused on creating a world more nourishing, more just, and more humane. An evolving personal mission statement and commitment to participating and supporting social change are the result of that quest. Even though my work has kept me in Chicago, my volunteer work has taken me all over the world where I have worked with women and girls in several countries."

Barbara truly touched the loves of thousands through her generosity and kindness. Barbara will be dearly missed and Bright Promises will keep her memory shining bright with every child we serve.

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From the Chicago Tribune:

Barbara Rose, 79, passed away July 14, 2017, in Chicago. She was born in Chicago in 1938 to Dan and Louise Goldman, and grew up in Chicago and Michigan City, Indiana, with her brothers Dan, Larry, and David. Her parents, both community activists, passed along their passion for social justice and love of family. She attended Purdue University and obtained a BA in sociology and a masters in social work. She had a mult-faceted work career, from being the Dean of Student Activities at Purdue, vice president of operations of a national cleaning company, and from 1988 to 2010, the president of S.N. Peck, Builder, a partnership with her husband. Barbara is survived by her husband of forty years, Neil Peck; her daughters, Ellen Hundt, Marcia Jo Hundt, Gerilee Hundt, and Tammy Kassak; and her grandchildren, Melissa Lijewski, Kyle Hundt Perez, Lelia Rose Rodgers-Young, and Max Hardwick; grandchildren and great grandchildren of her extended family; and myriad friends all over the planet whose lives she touched. Barbara contributed to social justice causes her entire life. Starting as a young girl with her parents she worked for racial justice in Chicago. In the 1960s, she marched the last Selma March into Montgomery. In the late 60s, she worked with the National Welfare Rights to organize welfare mothers in Michigan City, Indiana. Most recently she was involved with the Chicago Foundation for Women, Girls in the Game, The Hunger Project, Bright Promises Foundation, and Angelic Organics. She championed the rights of women and girls in Chicago, and also in India and Africa. She was a champion to all the women and girls in her life. The funeral will be private, but a memorial service will be held in August. Instead of flowers, please make a donation to any of the organizations noted above or Planned Parenthood.                                       

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Additional information can be found at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=186095174.