Woman Who Put Up Anti-Trump Sign Has Died

ELGIN, IL – A 94-year-old Elgin woman who made headlines in recent weeks for putting up an anti-Trump sign, which violated city code for being too large, has died. Myra Becker is being remembered by those in Elgin for her involvement in the community and as a woman who didn't shy away from making her voice heard and standing up for what she believed in, the Daily Herald reports.

Becker, a "lifelong activist," sat on boards at the YWCA Elgin and the League of Women Voters in the Elgin area; helped to create a local group called Women on the Brink, which focuses on providing affordable child care and help women overcome poverty; and was involved in the American Association for University Women.

"Myra was just this tiny little ball of energy — a very feisty lady," Carol Grom, vice president of the League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area, told the Daily Herald. "She stood up for what she believed in."

She remained active in her many causes even as her health began to decline in recent years, according to the Daily Herald. In fact, she attended a a Keep Families Together rally in Elgin less than two weeks before she died on Tuesday.

And just last month, Becker drew media attention when the city of Elgin asked her to downsize a 3-feet by 3-feet 8-inch sign, which she put up in her front yard and that read, "Impeach President Trump NOW!" The sign, which measured a total of 11 square feet, was much larger than the 3 square feet allowed by city ordinance, according to media reports.

Myra Becker did not know her sign violated he city's code until city officials requested she get a smaller sign. Initially, she thought about fighting their request. But instead decided to go along with their wishes, reasoning that the message, and not the smaller sign size, was what really mattered, according to the Daily Herald.

"I'm on a walker and there are all the things I can't do, but I can put up a sign," she said.

• Woman, 94, Downsizes Anti-Trump Sign To Meet City Code
  

Becker, an Elgin resident for 54 years, was a retired speech pathologist, according to her obituary. She was the beloved wife for 49 years of the late Morton Becker. She is survived by her four children as well as grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A memorial service for Becker will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Beth Takvah Congregation, 300 Hillcrest Boulevard in Hoffman Estates. A reception will follow at Becker's home at 1771 Country Knoll Lane in Elgin.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Community Crisis Center, www.crisiscenter.org or Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), www.raicestexas.org.

More via the Daily Herald and Becker's obituary

PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK