Zerlina A. Smith

Early Life and Background

Zerlina Smith is a long-time resident of South Austin, Chicago, where she was raised by a single mother. Growing up in the crime and drug infected ABLA Homes , Zerlina has completely dedicated her life to advocacy and community organizing. Inspired by her grandmother, Cora Smith, who fought for housing rights in CHA public housing, Zerlina's commitment to social justice began early and has shaped her identity as an activist.

Throughout her life, Zerlina has been a passionate advocate for empowering communities to assert their rights and make their own decisions. She is a strong believer in the power of people over party politics, emphasizing that true change comes from the grassroots level. As a single mother herself, she understands the critical importance of strong educational institutions and has been deeply involved in various educational initiatives. Her roles have included serving as the Chairman of the Local School Council at Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy and as Parent Leader for Action Now, advocating for educational equity.

Zerlina is also actively engaged in local governance, serving as the Secretary of the Columbus Park Advisory Committee and chairing the West Side Democracy for America Accountability Chapter. She leads the Quincy Strong Block Club, fostering community resilience and engagement. Additionally, Zerlina has run for public office, including campaigns for the 29th Ward Alderman seat in 2015 and 2019, as well as for Cook County Board President in 2020-2021.

Work History

Advocacy Specialist

Democratic, Republican, and Third Party Candidates

Engaged in advocacy efforts across local and international campaigns, promoting awareness and support for various political candidates.

Developed and implemented public awareness campaigns to mobilize community support and educate voters on key issues.

Skills Strong

communication and interpersonal skills, facilitating effective outreach and engagement with diverse audiences.

Advocacy Specialist

Independent Democratic, Republican, and Third Party Candidates

Engaged in advocacy efforts across local and international campaigns, promoting awareness and support for various political candidates.

Developed and implemented public awareness campaigns to mobilize community support and educate voters on key issues.

Skills Strong

Communication and interpersonal skills, facilitating effective outreach and engagement with diverse audiences.

Activism and Community Engagement

Throughout her life, Zerlina has dedicated herself to empowering communities to advocate for their own rights and make their own decisions. As a single mother, she understands the critical importance of strong educational institutions. Her extensive involvement in education includes serving as the Chairman of the Local School Council at Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, where she worked to improve educational outcomes for students. She has also held the position of Parent Leader for Action Now, advocating for educational equity, and served as the Chair of the Head Start Policy Committee for Chicago Public Schools.

In addition to her educational advocacy, Zerlina is actively involved in local governance. She served as the Secretary of the Columbus Park Advisory Committee and currently chairs the West Side Democracy for America Accountability Chapter. She leads the Quincy Strong Block Club, fostering community engagement and resilience. Zerlina seats on many community board to this date though out the city and state. Zerlina has also run for public office, including campaigns for the 29th Ward Alderman seat in 2015 and 2019 https://news.wttw.com/elections/voters-guide/2019/candidates/chicago-city-council/zerlina-smith, as well as for Cook County Board President in 2020-2021.[1]

Achievements

Zerlina has received numerous awards from the Department of Children and Family Services for outstanding contributions to early childhood education and advocacy.

Recognized by multiple organizations, including Parents Across America, for exceptional dedication to community service and advocacy in children's welfare.

Political Career and Leadership

Zerlina made history as the first Black woman to lead a political party in Illinois when she became the head of the Green Party [2]. This groundbreaking achievement underscores her commitment to increasing representation for marginalized communities within the political sphere. As an independent Democrat [3], she passionately supports third-party candidates, believing that a healthy democracy requires diverse voices and choices.

In her pursuit of public service, Zerlina announced her candidacy for the First District County Commissioner seat, aiming to replace the current mayor, Brandon Johnson. Despite not being selected for this position, her determination to serve her community drives her continued involvement in local politics.https://vote.bluevoterguide.org/IL/candidate_Zerlina_Smith/58938 [4]

Advocacy and Vision

Zerlina’s activism is characterized by her relentless efforts to address systemic issues such as poverty, housing insecurity, and violence prevention. She is recognized as a pro-community, pro-labor leader who firmly believes that collective action is essential for overcoming societal challenges [5]. Her work focuses on advocating for a living wage, promoting affordable housing, and ensuring that all residents have access to the resources they need to thrive.https://news.wttw.com/tags/zerlina-smith-members [6]

Through her leadership and advocacy, Zerlina Smith embodies the spirit of community organizing and serves as a vital voice for the West Side of Chicago and beyond [7]. Her commitment to justice and empowerment continues to inspire those around her as she works to bring people together for a common cause. https://citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2023/nov/08/west-side-activist-zerlina-smith-members-calls-cit/

Zerlina has been particularly vocal about the dynamics surrounding Chicago’s designation as a sanctuary city, especially in light of the migrant crisis exacerbated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott's policies [8]. She has criticized the substantial financial resources allocated by the city to support migrants transported from Texas, calling for a reevaluation of the sanctuary city practices and funding. Zerlina’s advocates for defunding these practices, arguing that the funds could be better utilized to address pressing local issues affecting Chicago residents.[9]