Rosalind Cox
Rosalind Cox has been a prominent member of the Washington Park community since 1988. She is a proud homeowner and military veteran from the United States Naval Construction Battalions (Navy Seabee) force. Originally from Indiana, Ms. Cox has lived in Chicago before settling in Milwaukee. She fondly remembers growing up in a musical family with her two younger brothers. She remembers that her mother spend time and making friends with jazz and blues musicians such as Muddy Waters and Lionel Hampton. She remembers singing in the background choir with the Jackson 5.
Showing love is what she does. For many years Ms. Cox has put all of her time and energy into building up her church community and her neighborhood. She wears many hats at her church, sometime the treasurer, and at other times a choir director, or a secretary. She does it all! She believes that showing real, genuine care, and love is the best way to connect with and help others. She told us the story of a friend’s son who was struggling with depression. He confided in Ms. Cox, “No one cares about me,” to which she replied reassuringly, “I care. I care.” That opened up a channel of conversation and a mentoring relationship. This isn’t the only time Ms. Rosalind has made a personal impact on a person she talks to. She has a knack for connecting with people, for creating family-like relationships with those she meets. It is rare to find someone who offers a hug the first time they meet a person, but Ms. Rosalind will warmly embrace a stranger like a long-lost relative. She is a very expressive person, talking with her hands and driving home points and punchlines with animated expressions. Ms. Cox is involved with many organizations in the Washington Park community and has planted trees in the neighborhood, implemented the Neighborhood Improvement District plan, and advocated for arts, history and culture. With support from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), she went through neighborhood leadership training at Cardinal Stritch University. Starting in 2012 Ms. Cox worked with Victory Garden Initiative to design, plan, and build the Bethune Gardens on the corner 35th Street and Galena Street. The garden featured public art, circles of stones set on the ground, benches, and garden beds with fresh produce. Unfortunately, as time went on the area was abused and eventually a petition shut down the initiative. She feels frustrated with the lack of organizing in the community. She worries that funds come into the community but never get spread around to necessary projects. Despite these problems Ms. Cox keeps fighting every day to keep her community clean, healthy, and strong. Rosalind Cox, interview by Liam Farin and Ifedayo Kehinde, July 2021. |
Lack of communication from the city about trash and recycling
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