PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria woman who has helped her community in myriad ways — most notably in the school system — now has her own street named after her.
The area near the Peoria Public Library main branch downtown at Hamilton and Monroe Streets is now known as “Honorary Aurthur Mae Perkins Way” — but Perkins is perhaps best known for her decades of service to Peoria Public Schools as principal of the old Harrison School — one of the longest-serving principals in district history.
Second District Peoria City Council Member Chuck Grayeb has known Perkins since he was a District 150 administrator.
“Not only did she stand for excellence, but the kids were never cheated by the bar of low expectations,” said Grayeb. “If they weren’t there, Aurthur Mae Perkins was known to get in her car and go get them.”
Perkins has also served on the Peoria Public Library and Peoria Housing Authority Boards, as well as on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.
“She’s just been a stronghold for our community, an exception role model,” said Mayor Rita Ali.
But, as beloved as Perkins is, she’s also somewhat humble.
“I didn’t do anything, but love people, love children, and I knew what children could do, if you gave them an opportunity to do it,” said Perkins. “But, they couldn’t do it if they were hungry. They couldn’t do it if they were dirty. They had to have some pride within themselves.”
Perkins says she’s grateful so many people love and want to honor her, but knows she also has “haters” — and doesn’t care about any of them.
(Will Stevenson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
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