HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-2023 Special Proclamation Honoring Bernice Baul Freeman Filed in -r ' office
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SPECIAL PROCLAMATION NO. 11-2423 Y CLERK :
M. JO I
D, IN
A SPECIAL PROCLAMATION AWARED BY SOUTH BEND COMMON
COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND THIRD DISTRICT COUNCILWOMAN
SHARON MCBRIDE, AT-LARGE COUNCILWOMAN, KAREN L. WHITE,
AND FIRST DISTRICT COUNCILMAN, CANNETH LEE, RECOGNIZING
AND COMMENDING MRS. BERNICE BLAKE BAUL- FREEMAN FOR
HER LONGSTANDING, ENTHUSIASTIC COMMITMENT TO RACIAL
AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND.
LET IT BE KNOWN THAT
Mrs. Bernice Blake Baul-Freeman was a True Warrior for Justice and Democracy.
She committed her life to serving others.
She followed the path that was set before her with her whole heart and soul.
GAexeail, as President of the South Bend Common Council and Third District
Councilwoman, I and At-Large Councilwoman Karen L. White, and First District Councilman
Canned'Lee, City of South Bend, Indiana arc humbled to honor and officially recognize the many
contributions and thie public service that Mrs. Bernice Blake Baul-Freeman has rendered to the
City of South Bend and its residents. She was born on June 17, 1942, and passed on June 25,
2023, at age eighty-one (81); and
ea6 Mrs. Bernice Blake 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
G xea6 Mrs. Bernice Blake Baul-Freeman served as a Life Skills Coach to numerous at-
risk youths and served young adult women through the Porch Light Program operated by the
Youth Service Bureau of St.Joseph County; and
xeaa, having been breast cancer free for twenty-three years, she founded the Reaching
Out Breast Cancer Awareness Center providing door-to-door educational services to raise breast
cancer awareness and promote early detection; and
4xea4 Mrs. Bernice Blake 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 was responsible for the street
renaming of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr., and recently received the YWCA Sojourner
Truth Award; and
�i�ea6, Mrs. Bernice Blake Baul-Freeman also has been honored with the Drum Major
Award by the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation and honored by the City of South Bend Black
History Month Program; and
.�xeael, she has devoted thousands of hours in support of candidates seeking elected
positions throughout the years. She was a true warrior who understood the importance of using the
power of your voice and the power of your vote.
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Section I. It is our distinct honor to publicly commend and honor the service of Mrs.
Bernice Blake 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,we are most humbled to thank
Mrs. Bernice Blake Baul-Freeman for her longstanding service, commitment, and dedication. Our
city is truly better because of her good works. We have lost a great person in Bernice Blake Baul-
Freeman, she was a Pillar in the city, a Trailblazer, and a woman for the people. A True Warrior
until the end.
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Council President and Third District
Councilwoman Sharon McBride
South Bend Common Council
and
At-Large Councilwoman Karen L. White
South Bend Common Council
South Bend, Indiana
and
First District Councilman Canned' Lee
South Bend Common Council
South Bend, Indiana
Filed in Clerk's Office
JUN 2 9 2023
DAWN M.JONES
CITY CLERK,SOUTH BEND,IN