'Instead Of Sleeping, She Volunteers': Local Woman Gives For Decades

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Without community leaders, Flossmoor wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Melanie, a Flossmoor reader who nominated Barbara Koger Hayes.

How do you know this community leader?

She is my mother

What does this community leader do?

She has just stepped down after serving as the President of the League of Women Voters, H-F Area since 2019. She has served the League in various capacities prior to becoming president, and has served on the League’s IL state board and on several other NFPs. She is leaving to get married at the young age of 76!

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Barbara has served the south suburbs of Chicago and greater Chicagoland area for 5 decades. She has been a special education teacher, assistant and deputy superintendent, improved curriculum for bi-lingual education, served as a Title IX officer, was president of the board for SD 144, worked as an adjunct professor at Concordia, leading graduate students to securing their credentials to become school administrators, worked at Prairie State to help students in adult education secure their GED, etc. She is a longtime member of AAAA (African American Alliance of the Arts), in the board of an education sorority (Beta Beta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma), and too many more to count. Instead of sleeping, Barbara volunteers. She serves her community. Barbara believes in the value of education and civic participation, including being fully informed and actively participating in your own future using the power of the vote.

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Know a community leader who deserves a shout-out?

Nominate them here.