Harold Washington

I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, in black enclaves where inequity ruled. Bronzeville, Oakwood, Washington Park, Park Manor, South Shore.

I noticed the stark differences when I visited other parts of town. Chicago’s fairness quotient was way out of whack. African Americans and Latinos were deprived of their fair share of city resources and opportunities by every measure: access to police services, health care, affordable housing; decent schools; parks and recreation; economic opportunities.

So, I was blessed and thrilled to cover Harold Washington’s 1983 historic mayoral campaign and later served as his deputy press secretary. That was a joy and privilege. 

Harold Washington understood those inequities and all the ways they were sapping life from our great city. He was the right mayor for the perfect moment, a moment when the city would rise to his demands for justice.

Many did not understand that his winning 1983 campaign was more than a campaign. It was a crusade. I THINK THIS COULD BE GOOD FOR THE BANNERS

It was a kick to share his name. As the mayor’s spokesperson, I was frequently asked, “Laura Washington, are you related to the mayor?”

I would always reply, “if we had been related, the mayor would have never hired me.” 

Once, when I mentioned that to the mayor, he responded with a knowing chuckle. If you know Chicago, you know that nepotism has been a deeply-ingrained value in Chicago’s political system.

But for the first Black mayor to have a relative on his staff? The critics would be clutching their pearls and crying, “Abominable!” 

There has never been a Chicago mayor who fought harder for fairness and equity. In our city, the name Washington will always stand for justice.

Washington inspired and empowered the voiceless, by joining their cause to get seats at the tables of power. He fiercely believed that Chicago could survive and thrive only when all its people participated.

Everywhere he went, he would exhort the crowds with his trademark mantra: “No one, but no one in this city, no matter where they live, or how they live, is free from the fairness of our administration. We'll find you—and be fair to you, wherever you are.” 

His boundless energy, keen political mind, and love of the people changed Chicago forever.

Laura S. Washington served as deputy press secretary to Mayor Harold Washington.

She is a contributing columnist at the Chicago Tribune and political analyst at ABC-7 Chicago.