Schakowsky Statement in Honor of former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne

CHICAGO – On Friday, Jane Byrne, the first and to-date only woman to serve as Mayor of the City of Chicago, passed away. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in honor of Byrne’s leadership and legacy:

“I offer my deepest condolences, prayers and thoughts to the family of Jane Byrne. I first worked with Jane in the early 1970s in Chicago as she was heading up consumer affairs for the city and I was working with a group of consumer advocates to get freshness dates put on items in grocery stores. Little did I know that this in-charge woman would break the glass ceiling and become the first female mayor of a major American city. She not only changed American politics by being a trailblazing woman, but she made snow storms forever more a crucial part of political calculation. She is also well known for popularizing ChicagoFest (which is now called the Taste of Chicago) and being the first Chicago mayor to show solidarity with our LGBT community by marching in our Pride Parade.

I am so thankful that before she passed Jane was honored in the city she loved so much. She is truly an inspiration to our city and to women and girls nationwide. Her example should inspire more women to become public servants. I believe all levels of government are better off when women serve. Jane Byrne illustrated how important it is to have our voices and our influence. Her contribution to our city will not be forgotten and her legacy of leadership will live on.”