A Community Leader & Advocate
Barb Berman
2/24/1935 - 4/14/2024
It is difficult to go anywhere in Rockford that has not been touched by Barb Berman’s deep care for community. She had been engaged in capital campaigns, nonprofit boards and countless committees. She had been mentor and advisor for many, grooming the next generations with firm, yet gentle guidance, empowering all to become conscientious, compassionate and productive citizens.
Although Barb retired from her position as Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation in May, 2005, they continued to receive her support, as did many others, for many many years. The following have had the privilege of her leadership and dedication as she had served as an officer or board member:
Although Barb retired from her position as Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation in May, 2005, they continued to receive her support, as did many others, for many many years. The following have had the privilege of her leadership and dedication as she had served as an officer or board member:
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Winnebago County 911
Ethnic Heritage Museum Advocacy Board Ethnic Heritage Capital Campaign Rock River Homeowner’s Association Rockford Network of Professional Women High View Retirement Home Heritage Kiwanis Rockford Health System ATEP Rockford Chamber of Commerce The Parks Chamber of Commerce In Youth We Trust Council of the Community Foundation of Northern IL Lifescape |
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Barb’s creative hand can be seen in many grassroots efforts. Her leadership and keen organizational skills made many community services and fundraisers possible:
The Auburn Key Club
Becca’s Closet
The Jingle Bell Run
Red Shoe Run
Rosie’s Birthday Club
Winnebago 911 First Responders’ Memorial
Ethnic Heritage Museum Capital Campaign
The Auburn Key Club
Becca’s Closet
The Jingle Bell Run
Red Shoe Run
Rosie’s Birthday Club
Winnebago 911 First Responders’ Memorial
Ethnic Heritage Museum Capital Campaign
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"Barb will be deeply missed by a Community she loved so much. She was humble and tenacious and made a lasting impact on Rockford. Her commitment to serving our community was unwavering and inspiring. I am grateful for the guidance, support, and kindness she shared all of these years."
- Jocelyn Hare McLaughlin President; Ethnic Heritage Museum |
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Her services as a volunteer and committee member are many and benefit a great number of nonprofit businesses and organizations:
Weed ‘n Seed Primp for Prom Victory Lap Brunch Carpenter’s Place Walk Klehm Arboretum Greenwich Village Art Fair First Night Rockford Epilepsy Mud Volleyball Tournament Heritage Run Lite the Night for Leukemia RocVale Children’s Home Spectrum School Trinity House On the Waterfront Kiwanis’ Peanut Days Kiwanis’ Rose Day Swedish American Heart Seminar Tinker Swill Cottage Rockford Chamber Ambassadors and Business Women’s Council Lifescape Community Service’s RSVP Program Lifescape Super Senior Award Breakfast Planning Committee Rock River Valley Blood Center’s Red Shoe Run Rockford MELD |
From Michelle Quast
Director of Special Events of the Arthritis Foundation of NW IL, in 2012, "Simply stated, Barb Berman is an over-worked and over-utilized yet under-appreciated and under-recognized local treasure. Rockford’s non-profit world – and those served by it – would be at a loss without Barb. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her years of service and dedication." From a Letter of Support by Valerie O'Brien: "Barb’s consistent enthusiasm, organization, leadership, and altruism motivated club members like myself to believe that by lending time, energy, and imagination, we could make a positive difference on the community. And, with her guidance, we did. Through her many years of service to the Auburn High School Key Club, Barb has educated and inspired hundreds of volunteers, who continue to disseminate the values first learned in Key Club long after they graduate from high school. What makes Barb’s contribution unique is that not only does she sow in students an enduring philanthropic impulse, but also her supervision and expertise give them practical skills that enable them to enact their vision for change."
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Barb’s influence was deep and far-reaching. Her demonstrated community involvement could be seen in her children and grandchildren. Those of us who have known her have easily been caught up in many of the projects that she holds near and dear. Her values were easily transferred to those around her as we could not help but see what she saw as need in the community of Rockford and we found ourselves looking with her to find a solution to those needs.
Over the years, many have wisely recognized the contributions that Barb has made to the Rockford community and honored those contributions:
1993 – Rotary – Service Above Self
1999 – Kiwanis Key Club – Raymond S Blunt Award
1999 – YWCA – Marcella Harris Award for Community Service
2001 – Rockford Chamber – Woman Manager of the Year
2004 – Lifescape – Super Senior of the Year
2006 – Swedish American Health System - Betty Henry Award For Community Service
2007 – Boy Scouts of America – Champion of Youth Award
2009 – Alpine Kiwanis – Touch of Life Award
2010 – Rockford Chamber – Citizen of the Year
2010 – finalist, Rockford Magazine – Woman of the Year
2010 – Chuck Urum Award
Barb’s greatest passion was her work with young people, most particularly those that are members of the Auburn Key Club. Since 1990, Barb nurtured, mentored and advised students in the learning of community service and citizenship. They were encouraged to identify needs within their community and to find creative ways to address those needs. Learning how to give back became
a life-changing and lifelong lesson that these young people take with them well into their future. Many have returned to Rockford to continue giving as she had taught them.
Some of the projects that the Key Club students undertook under Barb’s guidance:
Plan, purchase and furnish a room at Mother House
Plant an English Garden for the Ethnic Heritage Museum and Graham Ginestra House
Tear down the decrepit railroad building on 7th St
Plan a city graffiti clean-up
Plan, purchase and decorate a room for CASA children waiting to appear in court
Decorate and distribute emergency lunch bags for Meals on Wheels
Renovate the annex of the Ethnic Heritage Museum
Create, purchase and set up a story-lending library for MELD Manor
Collect and assemble packages for city homeless projects
Plan and decorate building for Red Ribbon Week drug awareness campaign
Volunteer at the Ethnic Music Festival, Tinker Swill Halloween Party, First Night Celebration, Easter Seals Children’s Development Center’s Jelly Bean Ball , American Girl Fashion Show fundraisers and Greenwich Village Art Fair
Conduct a disaster preparedness drill with the Rockford Fire Dept
Light luminaries on New Year’s Eve
Attend annual Key Club conferences to enhance the students’ education and experience
Over the years, many have wisely recognized the contributions that Barb has made to the Rockford community and honored those contributions:
1993 – Rotary – Service Above Self
1999 – Kiwanis Key Club – Raymond S Blunt Award
1999 – YWCA – Marcella Harris Award for Community Service
2001 – Rockford Chamber – Woman Manager of the Year
2004 – Lifescape – Super Senior of the Year
2006 – Swedish American Health System - Betty Henry Award For Community Service
2007 – Boy Scouts of America – Champion of Youth Award
2009 – Alpine Kiwanis – Touch of Life Award
2010 – Rockford Chamber – Citizen of the Year
2010 – finalist, Rockford Magazine – Woman of the Year
2010 – Chuck Urum Award
Barb’s greatest passion was her work with young people, most particularly those that are members of the Auburn Key Club. Since 1990, Barb nurtured, mentored and advised students in the learning of community service and citizenship. They were encouraged to identify needs within their community and to find creative ways to address those needs. Learning how to give back became
a life-changing and lifelong lesson that these young people take with them well into their future. Many have returned to Rockford to continue giving as she had taught them.
Some of the projects that the Key Club students undertook under Barb’s guidance:
Plan, purchase and furnish a room at Mother House
Plant an English Garden for the Ethnic Heritage Museum and Graham Ginestra House
Tear down the decrepit railroad building on 7th St
Plan a city graffiti clean-up
Plan, purchase and decorate a room for CASA children waiting to appear in court
Decorate and distribute emergency lunch bags for Meals on Wheels
Renovate the annex of the Ethnic Heritage Museum
Create, purchase and set up a story-lending library for MELD Manor
Collect and assemble packages for city homeless projects
Plan and decorate building for Red Ribbon Week drug awareness campaign
Volunteer at the Ethnic Music Festival, Tinker Swill Halloween Party, First Night Celebration, Easter Seals Children’s Development Center’s Jelly Bean Ball , American Girl Fashion Show fundraisers and Greenwich Village Art Fair
Conduct a disaster preparedness drill with the Rockford Fire Dept
Light luminaries on New Year’s Eve
Attend annual Key Club conferences to enhance the students’ education and experience
Brief Summary:
On April 14th, our community lost an influential and impactful leader, Barb Berman.
Barb was the Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation, but she was most known for her decades of volunteerism.
Barb served on the Board of Directors of the Ethnic Heritage Museum for many years. During that time, she was instrumental in the 2012 expansion of the Ethnic Heritage space. In 2016, the purchase of the adjacent Graham-Ginestra House, expanding our campus as the Heritage Museum Park, was successfully completed due to Barb.
How did she manage the time? Not only did she spend countless hours volunteering with our organization, but dozens of others.
She volunteered with the former Rock Valley Heritage Kiwanis Club Key Club, Rockford Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Rockford Network of Professional Women, Red Shoe Run, 911 Board, Becca’s Closet, Greenwich Village Art Fair, LifeScape Senior Recognition Breakfast and more.
Over her decades of service and influence, Barb was a role-model to MANY. She made a tremendous impact on all she met and will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life was held May 11th at Rockford Country Club.
On April 14th, our community lost an influential and impactful leader, Barb Berman.
Barb was the Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation, but she was most known for her decades of volunteerism.
Barb served on the Board of Directors of the Ethnic Heritage Museum for many years. During that time, she was instrumental in the 2012 expansion of the Ethnic Heritage space. In 2016, the purchase of the adjacent Graham-Ginestra House, expanding our campus as the Heritage Museum Park, was successfully completed due to Barb.
How did she manage the time? Not only did she spend countless hours volunteering with our organization, but dozens of others.
She volunteered with the former Rock Valley Heritage Kiwanis Club Key Club, Rockford Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Rockford Network of Professional Women, Red Shoe Run, 911 Board, Becca’s Closet, Greenwich Village Art Fair, LifeScape Senior Recognition Breakfast and more.
Over her decades of service and influence, Barb was a role-model to MANY. She made a tremendous impact on all she met and will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life was held May 11th at Rockford Country Club.