Ald. Lorraine Dixon (8th), the first woman to preside over the Chicago City Council as president pro tempore and a staunch ally of Mayor Richard Daley in the African-American community, died at home Friday, June 29, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 51.
Born on Father's Day, June 18, 1950, in the south side neighborhood of Bronzeville, she was the youngest of five children born to Edwin and Edra Godwin. Dixon grew up surrounded by friends and family including her four brothers Edward Jr., Eddie, Andrew and John.
Alderman Dixon was appointed by Daley to the council in 1990 after the death of Ald. Keith Caldwell. Dixon, who previously served as a council staffer and aldermanic assistant, was subsequently elected to the post in 1991, 1995 and 1999.
"She loved politics," said her niece Michelle Harris, who followed her aunt into politics and is currently the 8th Ward superintendent. "Her love for the community made her a workaholic. She couldn't turn away a constituent and she was a magnet to people."
Dixon became the first woman to head the Budget Committee in 1994 and also served as chairwoman of the Human Relations Committee.
Harris said her aunt was diagnosed with cancer in 1994. By January, the cancer had recurred and Dixon became too ill to attend council meetings.
"She fought it until four weeks ago, when she stopped the chemotherapy," Harris said. "She died at home with her family around her."
Dixon is survived by her mother, Edra Godwin, and two brothers, Edward Godwin Jr. and Eddie Godwin.
Born on Father's Day, June 18, 1950, in the south side neighborhood of Bronzeville, she was the youngest of five children born to Edwin and Edra Godwin. Dixon grew up surrounded by friends and family including her four brothers Edward Jr., Eddie, Andrew and John.
Alderman Dixon was appointed by Daley to the council in 1990 after the death of Ald. Keith Caldwell. Dixon, who previously served as a council staffer and aldermanic assistant, was subsequently elected to the post in 1991, 1995 and 1999.
"She loved politics," said her niece Michelle Harris, who followed her aunt into politics and is currently the 8th Ward superintendent. "Her love for the community made her a workaholic. She couldn't turn away a constituent and she was a magnet to people."
Dixon became the first woman to head the Budget Committee in 1994 and also served as chairwoman of the Human Relations Committee.
Harris said her aunt was diagnosed with cancer in 1994. By January, the cancer had recurred and Dixon became too ill to attend council meetings.
"She fought it until four weeks ago, when she stopped the chemotherapy," Harris said. "She died at home with her family around her."
Dixon is survived by her mother, Edra Godwin, and two brothers, Edward Godwin Jr. and Eddie Godwin.
Ald. Lorraine Dixon (8th), the first woman to preside over the Chicago City Council as president pro tempore and a staunch ally of Mayor Richard Daley in the African-American community, died at home Friday, June 29, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 51.
Born on Father's Day, June 18, 1950, in the south side neighborhood of Bronzeville, she was the youngest of five children born to Edwin and Edra Godwin. Dixon grew up surrounded by friends and family including her four brothers Edward Jr., Eddie, Andrew and John.
Alderman Dixon was appointed by Daley to the council in 1990 after the death of Ald. Keith Caldwell. Dixon, who previously served as a council staffer and aldermanic assistant, was subsequently elected to the post in 1991, 1995 and 1999.
"She loved politics," said her niece Michelle Harris, who followed her aunt into politics and is currently the 8th Ward superintendent. "Her love for the community made her a workaholic. She couldn't turn away a constituent and she was a magnet to people."
Dixon became the first woman to head the Budget Committee in 1994 and also served as chairwoman of the Human Relations Committee.
Harris said her aunt was diagnosed with cancer in 1994. By January, the cancer had recurred and Dixon became too ill to attend council meetings.
"She fought it until four weeks ago, when she stopped the chemotherapy," Harris said. "She died at home with her family around her."
Dixon is survived by her mother, Edra Godwin, and two brothers, Edward Godwin Jr. and Eddie Godwin.
Born on Father's Day, June 18, 1950, in the south side neighborhood of Bronzeville, she was the youngest of five children born to Edwin and Edra Godwin. Dixon grew up surrounded by friends and family including her four brothers Edward Jr., Eddie, Andrew and John.
Alderman Dixon was appointed by Daley to the council in 1990 after the death of Ald. Keith Caldwell. Dixon, who previously served as a council staffer and aldermanic assistant, was subsequently elected to the post in 1991, 1995 and 1999.
"She loved politics," said her niece Michelle Harris, who followed her aunt into politics and is currently the 8th Ward superintendent. "Her love for the community made her a workaholic. She couldn't turn away a constituent and she was a magnet to people."
Dixon became the first woman to head the Budget Committee in 1994 and also served as chairwoman of the Human Relations Committee.
Harris said her aunt was diagnosed with cancer in 1994. By January, the cancer had recurred and Dixon became too ill to attend council meetings.
"She fought it until four weeks ago, when she stopped the chemotherapy," Harris said. "She died at home with her family around her."
Dixon is survived by her mother, Edra Godwin, and two brothers, Edward Godwin Jr. and Eddie Godwin.
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