Remembering Barbara Flynn Currie
Mrs. Barbara Flynn Currie was my friend, my state representative, my neighbor, and my advisor. She was not just another politician. Politically, Hyde Park is a village. It was not difficult to come to consensus on candidates and Barbara was a favorite. She had to retire otherwise she would continue to be elected. Barbara was first elected when we had three member districts. Barbara, Carol Mosley Braun and Bernie Epton were the three reps for Hyde Park.
As a committed political organizer, I worked to elect Barbara and Carol, thus the beginning of my friendship with both. I lost Barbara as a representative when we went to single member districts but that didn’t change our relationship. I was in Carol’s district, but I still went to both when there was an issue in the General Assembly of interest. Barbara never threw me out of her office because she was no longer my rep.
Over the years as legislative issues came up and I needed advice on how to most effectively address them, structure legislation and/or identify potential sponsors, Barbara was my go-to advisor.
As my friend, she kept up with my children, even quick to assure that my daughter and the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana got off to a smooth start. Barbara and my son were Facebook friends, and she watched my grandson grow from infancy. Since her retirement, with other Hyde Park friends, we regularly had dinner and a bottle of pinot noir.
Barbara’s obituary can be found easily on the internet, so there is no need to highlight her legislative accomplishments as well as leadership such as co-founding IWILL, a training program for Illinois Women. She was one of a kind. An exceptional legislator, a wonderful friend, and one of the smartest people I have known.
I will miss her forever.
Jacky Grimshaw
CWTA Chair
