HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-2017 Proclamation Honoring Bernice Baul Freeman l Council Proclamation No. 07-2017
A PROCLAMATION OF KAREN L. WHITE COUNCILMEMBER AT
LARGE OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL PUBLICLY
RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING BERNICE BAUL-FREEMAN FOR
HER LONGSTANDING, PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO RACIAL
AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND
Whereas, as an At Large Common Council Member of the City of South Bend, Indiana, I
am humbled to honor and publicly recognize the many contributions and the public service that
Bernice Baul-Freeman has rendered to the City of South Bend and its residents; and
Whereas, Mrs. Baul-Freeman worked for the Opportunities Industrial Center (OIC) of
America founded by Dr. Leon Sullivan in 1984 for over fifteen (15) years, where she helped
participants gain basic educational skills and helped hundreds receive their GED; and
Whereas, Mrs. Baul-Freeman has continued to serve as a Life Skills Coach to numerous at-
risk youth and currently serves young adult women through the Porch Light Program operated by
the Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County; and
Whereas, having been breast cancer free for twenty-three (23) years, Mrs. Baul-Freeman
founded the Reaching Out Breast Cancer Awareness Center providing door-to-door educational
services to raise breast cancer awareness and promote early detection; and
Whereas, Mrs. Baul-Freeman has voluntarily served numerous local agencies in various
capacities as a constant voice for disenfranchised members of the South Bend community, including:
the Minority Health Coalition, the Chronic Disease Prevention Task Force, the Michiana Cancer
Survivors Society, Women In Touch, Michiana Cancer Task Force, Bridges Out of Poverty, United
Community Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse, St. Joseph County Drug Coalition Board, South Bend
Human Rights Commission, the Women’s Concerns Committee, and Toys for Tots as a key
organizer for over thirty (30) years, and is responsible for the street renaming of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Dr.; and
Whereas, Mrs. Baul-Freeman has been honored with the Drum Major Award by the Martin
Luther King Jr. Foundation and more recently as a City of South Bend Black History Month
Honoree.
Now, Therefore, be it Proclaimed by Karen L. White Councilmember At Large
of the South Bend Common Council as follows:
Section I. It is my distinct honor to publicly commend and honor the service of Mrs.
Bernice Baul-Freeman for her countless contributions made to our community and her passionate
commitment to racial and social justice.
Section II. On behalf of the City of South Bend, Indiana, I am most humbled to thank
Mrs. Baul-Freeman for her longstanding service and commitment to our city and wish her many
more years of good works in relation to racial and social justice.
Signed this ____ day of June, 2017, in the City of South Bend, the County of
St. Joseph, the State of Indiana.
_________________________________________
Karen L. White, At Large Council Member
South Bend Common Council
South Bend, Indiana