Floyd and Betty Brown Receive 69th Distinguished Service Award from Elgin’s Cosmopolitan Club

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Floyd and Betty Brown were honored by the Elgin Cosmopolitan Club for their service to the community.| Submitted Photo

Updated: September 29, 2011 12:42AM

Each of them faced racial discrimination at the start of their careers decades ago, but through persistence, education and faith, Betty and Floyd Brown persevered, according to Dr. Clare Ollayos, who spoke Tuesday night at the Elgin Country Club as the Browns were honored with the Elgin Cosmopolitan Club 69th Distinguished Service Award. More than 140 attended.

Ollayos, a previous recipient of the award, remarked on the Browns’ challenges as black professionals entering their professional arenas. Floyd Brown is a veteran broadcaster who hosted television programs on WGN and WTTW. He also served as managing executive officer of WYNR-Chicago and WRMN-Elgin. Educated at Northwestern University and Radio Institute of Chicago, Brown is married to Betty Brown, a columnist for The Courier-News, and owner and operator of Betty Brown Promotions, a public relations company.

A graduate of the St. Joseph Hospital nursing program in Joliet, she is a foundation member of Elgin Community College; Junior Service Board member; Elgin Women’s Club president; First Congregational Church of Elgin member; Adler Planetarium, past and present board member, too.

“Floyd and Betty’s service has unfolded in a pivotal time in our history,” Ollayos said. “Both faced racial discrimination in their careers. But through persistence, education and smarts, they” reached highest levels of success.

Rick Jakle, the master of ceremonies, said the Browns are fun and different.

“Without question, Elgin is richer for the work you’ve done,” he said.

Donna Burnidge spoke of her friendship with Betty, commenting that she drove Betty to social events when Betty began writing society columns for North Shore Magazine and later, Steppin’ Out with Betty Brown.

“It was then the real fun began. We began to hit the road and it was wonderful. Floyd said after driving to Chicago every day for 35 years he was not going to continue, so I got to go,” said Burnidge. “I was her ‘plus one.’”

She noted the Browns’ glamorous presence and kindness to others.

“It’s never all about Betty,” Burnidge said. “She wants to share her limelight with others. A more giving person simply does not exist. She has time for everyone. Always a kind word for all…she is a shining ambassador for her community, probably telling everyone she meets that she is from Elgin.”

Ted Roberts said he has known Floyd since childhood and that he admires the couple’s commitment to community service.

Role models

“This truly loving couple is mentors to our children,” he said. “The way they are living their lives is something we should all emulate.”

He joked about a time when Betty was introduced to Chicago Bears great Walter Payton, and Betty earnestly inquired about his work.

“He said, ‘My name is Walter Payton,’ and Betty said, ‘And what do you do for a living?”

The Browns’ daughter Diane shared her comments as well, noting their family time was always a priority and balanced well with their active community involvement.

“My mom still made home-cooked meals,” she said. “My mom worked the evening shift at the hospital…And I remember growing up thinking, ‘Didn’t everyone grow up going to all these functions, getting all these awards?...I couldn’t ask for better people to be my parents.”

Judge F. Keith Brown, the couple’s son, said his father is his best friend and that the list of accolades in the event program is only a fraction of what his mother has contributed to the community.

“They look so good and so young, people think we are brothers and sisters,” he said in jest. “When Betty comes into a room, she lights it up. She knows how to make people feel good…It doesn’t matter how high or how low you are in life, Betty Brown loves you.”

Service a way of life

Dr. Walter Alm, president of the Elgin Cosmopolitan Club, presented the awards. Betty thanked her family, friends, fellow volunteers, The Birthday Club, YWCA, League of Women Voters, and her aunt Wilma, whom she credited with giving her a flair for fashion.

“For (Floyd and me), service is not something you do,” she said. “It’s a way of life and a true and beautiful expression of love...I am so grateful to the many walks of life I have taken.”

Floyd Brown said when driving to Chicago every day for his work commute, he talked to Jesus.

“I used to ask him to help me and I would say I will live my life in such a way that people who know me will know that being a good father, a good Christian, a good man, is the way to live your life and you will be successful,” he said. “The Lord blessed me really well.”

Betty, who also worked as a fashion consultant to the Miss Illinois and Miss America pageants, has been awarded the Altrusa Outstanding Woman of the Year honor, and the YWCA Marguerite Henry Award for Communications/Technology. She was also the first black nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Aurora.

“We hope our work, that has been inspired by others, has gone on to inspire others,” she said.