born november 24, 1936 in memphis, tennessee miss gilliam's parents, addie and jesse may butler had ten children and only five of whom survived. she was working as a secretary at the louisville defender when one day the society editor got sick and she was asked to fill in. the rest is history. that beat exposed a teenager from the projects to a world of high society and enlarging her dream. she would distinguish herself on reporting the integration of schools of little rock, arkansas and then go on to work as an associate editor at the iconic jet magazine in ebony right here in chicago during college. before joining the post where she worked for more than 30 years before retiring in 2003. ms. gilliam overcame racism and sexism to become a successful columnist whose popular metro column often focused on issues of equity in education, politics and race. by the time she, like many back journalist, became an advocate and activist for a compliment, her dedication in her commitment to affecting societal change and to extend a hand to those coming behind her and taking her to the presidency of