99-year-old Aurora woman is 'everyone's friend'

Aurora resident Marie Wilkinson, 99, has dedicated much of her adult life to making Aurora a better place. And for her efforts, many are thankful.

Wilkinson, a longtime children's and civil rights activist, was instrumental in launching the first fair housing ordinance in Illinois. She helped start many charitable organizations and was rewarded for her work in 2001 with the Catholic Church's highest honor for American missionary work, the Lumen Christi Award.

Seventh Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns considers Wilkinson her mother in Aurora.

"In her life, she has made the old Aurora into the new Aurora of inclusion. She made sure when there was a problem she was in the middle of it to solve it," Hart-Burns said. "We're thankful that we have someone in our midst that has helped shape Aurora to be loving, comparing and compassionate."

Since moving to Aurora from New Orleans in 1922, Wilkinson has been credited with founding the Quad County Urban League, Feed the Hungry, the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Program, the Breaking Free drug program, the Marie Wilkinson Foundation and Community Food Pantry, and the Aurora Fair Housing Board.

Ill and unable to be interviewed for this story, Wilkinson has been quoted as saying, "God chose me not to sit around but to help people. As long as I'm living on this earth, I'm going to keep doing what I have to do."

Aurora's Youth Activities Director Fred Rogers worked side by side with Wilkinson on many of her projects over a 20-year period. He said she has the heart of Mother Teresa.

"She has contributed her whole soul and dedicated herself to causes involving all people," he said. "You couldn't find a better person on this planet to be thankful for. I am certainly thankful for her and the impact she's made upon my life."

On May 6, Wilkinson's 99th birthday, Aurora unveiled a life-size, $95,000 sculpture, depicting Wilkinson sitting on a bench and holding a bouquet of flowers and the bullwhip she inherited from her father-in-law, who was a former slave. The sculpture was funded through the Public Art Commission and federal community block grant funds.

"We don't just go around sculpting things for just anybody," Hart-Burns said. "Only those we appreciate."

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