The first African American Mayor of Chicago, elected in 1983. He ran on the ideals of progressivism and inspired many young people of color to get involved in politics, including both Barack and Valerie Jarrett. Washington served in office for four years before passing away suddenly from a heart attack.
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Harold Washington Character Timeline in Becoming
The timeline below shows where the character Harold Washington appears in Becoming. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 11
...some time working at a law firm. She was drawn to city hall by Harold Washington, the first African American mayor of Chicago who was elected in 1983. He had kindled...
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Valerie was thirty when she joined Washington’s staff, but only a few months later, Washington tragically had a heart attack, and Richard...
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