IL SR0838

Gwendolyn Hayes passed away on June 23, 2012, at age 75; born June 30, 1936, in Summerlee, West Virginia to Reverend Walter N. Harris and Emma V. (Loving) Harris; married Henry E. Hayes in June 1962.

Graduated with honors in 1954 from DuBois High School in Mount Hope, West Virginia; relocated to Chicago and attended night courses at DePaul University while working as the first black keypunch machine operator for Reese Finer Foods.

Completed accounting studies at Wright Junior College and Northwestern University; opened an accounting office on Chicago's West Side, invested in real estate, and owned multiple businesses including G & H Hayes Management Service, the Sting-Rey, and the Chateau; served as first female CEO of WVON radio station.

Returned to West Virginia to focus on church work, holding multiple roles including superintendent of Sunday School, Financial Secretary, Board Trustee, and various clerk positions; received numerous awards including the Revlon and Black Woman Hall of Fame Foundation 1988 Bethune Tubman Truth Award.

Survived by husband Henry, two children (Anita and Brian), seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and extended family; Illinois Senate mourns her passing and expresses sympathy to her family.