Dorothy Brown (Finding Aid)

Dorothy Brown

1953 -

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Honey Barbeque Wings

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: Minden, Louisiana

Interview Length: 168 minutes

Interview Date(s): October 8, 2003

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

County official Dorothy Brown describes her family background and her ancestors from rural Louisiana. Brown recalls spending time on her grandparents' farm picking cotton. Brown also explains how the sacrifices of her parents enabled her and her siblings to lead fulfilling lives. County official Dorothy Brown discusses her childhood in Minden, Louisiana, describing her neighborhood, her schools, and her religious and athletic participation. Brown details the prejudice she faced at an all-white high school as part of an integration experiment, and explains how a move back to a black high school helped her to regain her confidence. Brown also talks about her success as a basketball player at Webster High School. County official Dorothy Brown describes her experience at Southern University in Baton Rouge and the beginning of her career as an accountant. Brown explains the factors that led her to switch her major at Southern from sociology to accounting, and then details her involvement in the 1972 student demonstrations at Southern. Brown talks about her difficulty in finding a job after graduating, despite her superior record, and explains her positions and responsibilities at her first two jobs at Commonwealth Edison and Arthur Andersen. County official Dorothy Brown discusses her successful career in accounting, describing her positions and responsibilities at companies such as First National Bank of Chicago, the Chicago Transit Authority, and Odell Hicks and Company. Brown explains how she overcame prejudice and advanced to top level positions. Brown then discusses her desire to run for public office, which led to her decision to earn a law degree. County official Dorothy Brown details her campaign for the office of City Treasurer of Chicago in 1999. Brown explains the various barriers she had to overcome to get her name on the ballot, discusses her campaign strategies, and analyzes the results of the election, which she lost. Brown also explains how this race pointed her toward her next campaign, for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. County official Dorothy Brown discusses her campaign strategies in her run for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Brown then cites her accomplishments during her time in office, talking about her emphasis on professionalism and improvement of techonology. Brown then shares her hopes for the future of the black community, and considers her legacy, paying tribute to her parents and siblings for supporting her.

40 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)