I had the opportunity to have a one-on-one Dr. Margaret Burroughs last year and was truly honored just to be in her presence. We discussed many things during our interview, but there were two things that she emphasized: education and leaving a legacy.

While I thought I understood what it meant to leave a legacy, I didn’t understand the impact of leaving one until I got word that Dr. Burroughs had passed away on Sunday, November 21st. Now, I get it.

From our short time together, she quickly became my favorite living legend. I was in totally inspired and I felt on top of the world after leaving her presence. Allow me to share a few words of wisdom she left me during our interview.

1. The most important thing in life is to do things you enjoy.
2. Everyone has a gift of creativity; you have to bring it out.
3. You have to keep busy if you want to stay alive.
4. Advice to young people: LEARN LEARN LEARN and READ READ READ.
5. Don’t give up hope. Identify your goals in life and move toward them. Don’t let anyone discourage you.

I would be remiss if some of her accomplishments were not listed:

• Co-founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History – the 1st African American museum in the United States and in Chicago
• Co-founder of the South Side Community Arts Center in Chicago;
• The recipient of many honorary degrees including an honorary doctorate degree from the Art Institute of Chicago, her alma mater;
• The “grandmother” of the Park Board in Chicago. Appointed by the late Harold Washington, she was the longest serving member on the board;
• She taught art classes at Statesville Prison once a week.  AND she roller skates!!!! You read correctly. Dr. Burroughs gets her roll on! She says that she still has to learn how to go backward!

Needless to say, Dr. Margaret Burroughs will be missed.