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![Black Historian Margaret Burroughs Dead at 93]()
Margaret Burroughs, founder of Chicago's famed DuSable Museum of African American History, died in her sleep this weekend at the age of 93.
Burroughs, who earned a Master's Degree in Fine Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1948, was a political activist, artist, community activist, poet and author of children's books who helped shape the lives of Chicago residents for decades in large ways and small.
Burroughs gained her greatest notoriety in 1961 when she, with her second husband Charles, founded the DuSable Museum of African American History which gained fame for exhibits dedicated to the civil rights movement.
After serving as museum director until 1985, Burroughs was appointed Commissioner of the Chicago Park District in 1985.
I learned of Burroughs' feisty spirit first-hand when she was leading tours to Africa during the 1980's. I had the pleasure of taking my first trip to Senegal and Gambia on a Burroughs-led trip in 1989 that included a visit to a local orphanage in Dakar.
She was blunt and made sure we all understood that we would be leaving a "voluntary" donation behind to support the facility and express thanks for the visit. Some on the tour grumbled a bit but most of us had a good time with Burroughs' stern request.
Burroughs spent her life exposing black people to black and African culture. I hope her work inspired a new generation of young people to follow in her steps.
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