IRVING PARK — An Irving Park street will be named after Betty Resnikoff, a longtime community organizer who died last year from COVID-19.
The official unveiling of Betty Resnikoff Way will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday in the 4100 block of North St. Louis Avenue. Plans include a potluck.
“Family, friends and neighbors will gather to remember Betty Resnikoff as a person who tirelessly helped her community and who lived in the constant search for peace and justice in our city and country,” said Billy Drew, the 35th Ward’s director of policy and legislation.
Resnikoff and her husband of nearly 60 years, Neal, lived in Albany Park for 26 years. She died April 28, 2020 while being treated for COVID-19 at Swedish Hospital, according to her obituary. She was 84.
Resnikoff is remembered for her impact as a teacher who taught English, social studies, and art at a number of junior high schools, senior high schools, and colleges and universities, including two years in the secondary school for girls in Zanzibar, East Africa, and several years at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
She was also a community organizer and founding member of Albany Park, North Park and Mayfair Neighbors for Peace and Justice.
“Betty was a fighter against social injustice and unjust war, and a supporter for immigrant rights throughout her life,” Drew said.
The new honorary street designation named after her will be on North St. Louis Avenue, between West Cullom to West Belle Plaine avenues.
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