For 38 years of dedicated service

Honor for Marjorie Dickinson

Pictured from Left to Right: Marjorie Dickinson receiving her picture, Robert A. Stuart, Betty Irons, Louis Giell and Gene Berghoff.

Mrs. Spencer T. (Betty) Irons, President of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, announced that the Association was honoring their former Secretary/Director and Director Emeritus Marjorie M. Dickinson for 38 years of dedicated service by presenting her with an engraved photograph to be hung in the Association offices.

Mrs. Irons stated, "No one has given more outstandingly and continuously of valuable service to the Illinois Association of Park Districts than Majorie Dickinson." A note of her life and many activities will serve to remind us of our good fortune in having had her long and devoted service. Miss Dickinson was born in Griggsville, Illinois, July 17, 1895, to Charles William and Anna (Green) Dickinson. She received her early schooling at both the Griggsville and Hannibal (Missouri) High Schools; received her B. S. degree in 1925 from the University of Illinois in accountancy and business administration and took graduate courses in political science during 1930-31. She was connected with the Illinois Municipal League in Urbana and Springfield from 1923-1944 successively as part-time stenographer during student days; as assistant director, 1925-1955. During this period she served as acting director during 1925-26 and in 1943 while the Illinois Municipal League was without a director. She also served as assistant director of the Illinois Association of School Boards, 1929-1943, and of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, 1928-1943. On October 1, 1944, she became executive secretary of the Springfield Council of Churches. In May, 1945, the Women's Division of the Council became the Springfield Council of Church Women and part of her job. She continued to serve the Illinois Association of Park Districts as executive secretary on a part-time basis. After nine years, as the work program of the combined organizations grew, it became necessary to choose which organization should receive her undivided attention. Beginning June 1, 1953, she became the full-time executive secretary (now executive vice president) of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and editor of ILLINOIS PARKS magazine.

She has been identified closely with numerous other activities, including her connections with the Springfield Association of Executives; American Institute of Park Executives, the Christ Episcopal Church, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the International Order of St. Luke, Springfield Garden Club, Amateur Musical Club, the Mental Health Association, of the YWCA, and has from time to time been active in local and state programs of the Business and Professional Women's Club, Zonta (similar to Rotary for men), League of Women Voters, and with the American Association of University Women.

Miss Dickinson is still called upon to render advice and assistance by the Association from her long years of experience in the promotion of better parks for more people in Illinois.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 July/August, 1972