Dr. Barbara Gillespie‐Washington is a widow and mother of three adult children. She attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a Bachelors Degree from the College of Agriculture, Masters Degree in Education and a Doctor of Theology from North Carolina College of Theology. She retired in June of 2005 after being an educator for 36 years in the Urbana Public School system. Some of Dr. Gillespie‐Washington’s community involvements include: Board of Directors Orpheum Children’s Science Museum; Champaign Mental Health Board; NAACP Executive Board; Past 1st Vice President National Council of Negro Women; Optimist Club Board; Retired Teachers Association; Board of Director Urbana Free Library; Schools Foundation Team; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; One‐to‐One Mentoring Scholarship Board of Directors; Founder and Director “WISDOM WORKS.” Barbara has received numerous awards and recognition for community and academic involvement, including ʺThose Who Excel” – State Board of Education Award; First Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Teacher of the Year Award,” Parkland College; “Teacher of the Year” – Urbana School District; and Proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Urbana, Barbara Gillespie‐Washington’s Day, May 24, 2005.

Barbara was featured in Difference Makers 2010: An eBlack Champaign-Urbana Publication.