Josephine B. Sneed

Josephine B. Chenault Sneed (December 22, 1899 – March 23, 1986) was an American commissioner of Cook County, Illinois. She was the first African-American woman to serve on Cook County's Board of Commissioners.[1] Prior to her election, she was a volunteer and board member in various community and women's organizations.

Early life

Josephine B. Chenault was born on December 22, 1899, in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky to parents Mattie and Jeff Chenault.[2]

Career

In the 1930s, she was a member and volunteer of the Women's Board of the Provident Hospital in Chicago. During this time, she was also a lieutenant of the Salvation Army and coordinated the recruitment of volunteer workers.[3][4]

During World War II, Sneed was a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services. She participated in the organization's committees and worked for their speaker's bureau.[4] She additionally founded the Women's Auxiliary of the Hektoen Institute for Medical Research, which was a part of the Cook County Hospital in Chicago. She was later a board member and assistant financial secretary of the Auxiliary.[4]

Sneed was also a member of the Federation of Illinois Women's Democratic Clubs. Between 1951 and 1952, she was chair of the group's Ways and Means Committee, which raised funds to support women's activities at the 1952 Democratic National Convention.[5][6] By 1964, she was the vice president of the Federation of Illinois Women's Democratic Clubs.[4]

Josephine Sneed married Edward Mike Sneed. He was a Cook County Commissioner in Illinois. On June 27, 1964, her husband died, leaving open the position he was serving in as Cook County Commissioner. After his death, Josephine Sneed was elected as commissioner to serve the remaining two years of her husband's term.[3][7] The term lasted until November 1966,[7] and that year, she was reelected commissioner as a Democratic candidate.[8] She went on to serve on the Finance and Public Service Committees, and she was Vice Chair of the Oak Forest Hospital Subcommittee and the County Jail, Criminal Court and Court House Subcommittee.[3][9] Sneed served as a commissioner until 1970.[1]

Legacy

Sneed died on March 23, 1986.[2] Her son Edward L. Sneed became an engineer for the Cook County Highway Department.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Journal of the Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County. February 4, 2003. p. 622. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Sneed, Josephine B. Chenault". Notable Kentucky African Americans Database. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Heritage Series #2 "Women In Politics"". July 1971. p. 33. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Widow of Edward Sneed Appointed to County Board". Berwyn Life. 22 July 1964. p. 13. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Labor Leader Talks to Woman Demos". The Daily Calumet. 27 October 1951. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  6. ^ "More About: Politically Speaking". Suburbanite Economist. 20 January 1952. p. 21. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  7. ^ a b "County Commissioner Sworn In". Chicago Tribune. 17 July 1964. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  8. ^ "15 from City, Suburbs to Be Elected to County Board". Chicago Tribune. 6 November 1966. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Essential to You, Equity for All: Firsts in Cook County Leadership". www.cookcountyil.gov. Cook County Government. Retrieved 11 February 2022.