Joanne Alter, Chicago Pioneer for Women, Dies (Mother of journalist Jonathan)

[RamboLiberal]

CHICAGO, Nov 10, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Joanne H. Alter, who broke the gender barrier in Chicago area politics, died on Sunday, November 9, in her Near North Side home after a long illness. She was 81.

Alter, a "lakefront liberal" reformer, was the first woman Democrat elected to public office in Cook County, and a pioneer for women interested in social action and public service. She later co-founded Working in the Schools (WITS), the largest tutoring program for at-risk youth in Chicago.

Alter "was a gale force of nature," said her son Jonathan, a Newsweek columnist. "At a time when most women took a back seat to men in politics and civic life, she was usually in the front row or up on the stage directing the action."

Describing her as "the Jackie Robinson of women in Chicago politics" her son noted that her last act was casting her vote on Nov. 4 for Barack Obama.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Joanne-Alter-Chicago-Pioneer-Women/story.aspx?guid=%7BA8B6B7BB-A550-4BDC-9AC0-78E659CF784C%7D

What a fantastic lady. My deepest sympathies to the Alter family. No wonder Jonathan turned out to be such a good journalist!

[Mojorabbit]

1. Oh no

This has been a weird few days with a lot of deaths in political families and a loss for one of my friends too. My condolences to the family.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. She sounds like she was a truly great lady. I was unaware that Jonathan Alter's Mom was such a

pioneer.

[Arctic Dave]

3. She raised a fine man and a fine journalist. RIP.

[City Lights]

4. I had no idea his mom was such a trailblazer.

My deepest condolences to the family...