Bobbie Steele: Making an impact on others.

In July 2006, American House Oak Park resident Bobbie Steele was named the 32nd President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Before being elevated to such a high post, Bobbie was commissioner for the 2nd district of Cook County, Illinois, for 20 years, making her the longest serving African American woman in the history of Cook County government.

Bobbie, who is 88 years young and doing well health-wise, has been at American House for just under a year. Unfortunately, she is the last living member of her family, but her children are very much a part of her life.

Born in Cleveland, Mississippi, Bobbie was the oldest of seven siblings. After graduating from high school in 1954, she attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville before moving to Chicago. Bobbie married Robert Steele in 1956 and completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1966 by attending night classes at the Chicago Teachers College. She immediately went to work in the Chicago Public Schools as a teacher and taught for the next 26 years. Bobbie also earned a master’s degree from Roosevelt University in 1982.

Bobbie had six children with her beloved late husband and they raised their kids on the west side of Chicago. According to Joyce, Bobbie’s daughter, her mom was heavily involved in community activities and head of the block club for over 25 years. Bobbie helped check in on neighbors and contributed to the beautification of the neighborhood. The street that Joyce and her siblings lived on has since been renamed after Bobbie.

“We were always very busy growing up,” Joyce said. “I think that speaks to my mom’s spirit. She literally set up an office in our garage and people would come and check in to help with the community. My mom got her drive from her mother and from growing up in the South. My grandmother taught for 42 years and was a self-taught piano player. She played for seven churches. My grandmother instilled determination, moral principles and values into her children. Her motto was, ‘A broom and a mop just won’t due for my kids.’ My mom is a lot like her mother.”

The Steele kids grew up in a very strong family that still supports each other to this day.

“The biggest thing about our family,” Joyce said, “we were taught to have an impact on others. Our parents never made it about us. We didn’t know any better. We thought everyone lived like us. All of us attended college and earned degrees. But we were always giving back to the community. Our community was our village. We knew everyone and everyone knew the Steele family.”

Joyce describes her father as a quiet giant. “He and my mom were together for over 50 years. My dad wasn’t a man of many words, but he was a man of great action. He worked for Jefferson Electric as a custodian before earning his electrical certification. My dad had a great heart. My mom was the brains of the family and dad was the glue. They were perfect for each other.”

In 1986, with the support of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, Bobbie won in a landslide election to lead the Board of Commissioners. She worked tirelessly to ensure minority and female participation in county contract bids. Bobbie also co-sponsored Cook County’s human rights and ethics ordinance as the first and only African American woman to serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Bobbie’s book and inspiring life story, “Woman of Steele: A Personal and Political Journal,” is available on Amazon.

We all have a story. A story that taught us something, changed us and helped define who we are. Our seniors have amazing stories that hold a wealth of wisdom. At American House, your next chapter is waiting to be written. We’re here to help you write it. Your way.