A Radiance that Lasts: Barbara T. Bowman

The legacy of Barbara T. Bowman, an Erikson co-founder, was honored at Illinois Action for Children’s (IAFC) 2025 A Time to Shine annual benefit. Barbara was recognized posthumously with the Sylvia Cotton Award, which is presented to an individual or organization exemplifying IAFC founder Sylvia Cotton’s dedication to, and passion for, organizing and advocating for working families, ensuring that the care and education of children is a priority

Former President Barack Obama opened with a few words for both Barbara and Senator Dick Durbin, also a recipient of the award, in a video message that commended their transformative work to help “young people learn and grow and reach their potential.” Accepting the award on behalf of her mother, Valerie Jarrett reflected on Barbara’s friendship with President Obama:

“He was campaigning for the U.S. Senate, and as you can imagine, he was traveling all over the state, and he had one afternoon where he was free. He came by our house, and I just said, ‘Just relax.’ He and Michelle just wanted to have time to be with family and friends and do nothing. And, I was kind of looking for him and then I was kind of looking for my mother. I opened the door to the den, and my mom had closed him in the den and was lobbying him about some bill that was before the Illinois legislature. I’m like, mom, ‘give him a break,’ and she goes, ‘no, this is really important.’”

As the one-year anniversary of her passing approaches, the influence of Barbara’s leadership continues to inspire the early childhood field. Valerie mentioned the enduring presence of her mother’s spirit during this time, saying, “And I expect that you are showing us the light forward.”