Josie Brown Childs

Josie Brown Childs (October 13, 1926 – February 13, 2023) was an American civic leader and community activist. Childs worked closely with several politicians, including Harold Washington (in office, 1983–1987), Chicago's first mayor of African American descent. She long worked to increase African American participation in the city through community organizing and local politics. Childs founded the Harold Washington Tribute Committee in 2013 and was known as the "Matriarch of the Movement".

Early life and education Childs was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, on October 13, 1926, to Julia Brown and Charles Washington. She was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and Vicksburg, Mississippi. After attending LeMoyne–Owen College in Memphis, Childs continued her education at the Cortez W. Peters Business College. In the late 1940s, she also enrolled in business courses at Northwestern University in Chicago. In 1968, she wed James (Jack) Childs, and they had four children. The couple owned Chicago accounting firm J.M. Childs and Associates.

Career Childs worked for the City of Chicago, initially in the Sixth Ward under Bob Miller's sponsorship, and later as an events coordinator for Colonel Jack Riley. She worked at the Metropolitan School of Tailoring as an administrator as well. Childs later collaborated with Harold Washington on his mayoral campaigns in 1977 and 1983. For many years, she also served as Mayor Washington's assistant. From 1983 until 1990, Childs served as an administrator in the City of Chicago's Cultural Affairs and Special Events divisions at City Hall. She created and promoted a number of events after her work with the City of Chicago, including one honoring African American naval musicians from the Great Lakes.

Death At the age of 96, Childs died on February 13, 2023. Childs received a church service in Chicago to recognize her life as "a champion of African American rights". The South Side Drive Magazine wrote, "Given all that she contributed to the Black community, it is so fitting that this woman who treasured the preservation of Black History should choose to join the ancestors on the 13th day of Black History Month." The Illinois Senate said,