biography

Mary Ross Cunningham was born on November 19, 1945 in Coatopa, Alabama. Mary has seven ​children. Rev. Dr. Emerson Ross, Jackie Cunningham-Bailey, 40th Waukegan Mayor Samuel D. ​Cunningham Jr., Alvin Cunningham (Deceased), Levi Finch, Beverly Ann Finch and Noemi Finch.

In the early 1970's Mary went on to pursue a career in nursing at the College of Lake County and later ​became employed with Veteran Administration Hospital (James Lovell Center) in North Chicago, IL.

Mary’s career in nursing also led her to attend the University of Wisconsin (Madison) studying ​Business Administration and Sawyer College in Waukegan, IL studying Business Administration as ​well. Mary stayed employed with the Veteran Hospital for 20 years until retirement.

Mary decided she was not ready for retirement and became employed with the Great Lakes Naval ​Base Food Service Department for another 5 years as a supervisor. After thinking about a career move ​Mary decided to make a governmental move to become a Lake County Board Member in 2001 and ​successfully became the second African American woman in Lake County as a County Board member.

• Catholic Charities
• Community Action Partnership (Directors of ​Board member)
• Lake County Green Belt Cultural Center
• Samaritan House
• Waukegan Housing Authority
• Youth Conservation Corps
• VISTA Health Medical Center
• Lake County Greenbelt Forest Preserve
• Cool Pantry, Prairie State Legal Services
• Lake County Pads Homeless Shelters
• Lake County Women of W.O.R.T.H.
  

• 2024 Forest Preserve Referendum
• Appointed by United States Senator Mark Kirk
• to the State of Illinois African American Advisory ​Board
  
• YWCA (Women of Achievement)
• Women of Distinction (Shaw Media Magazines)
• Who’s Who as an Executive Profession Award
• Lake County Driver’s License Pilot
• Designation of holiday, MLK for
• Lake County Employees