Kirby School District 140 Elects First Arab American Board Member

TINLEY PARK, IL — April is Arab American Heritage Month. During this celebratory month for the Arab American community, one member has officially made history here in Tinley Park.

Lucy Shalash — mother, business owner and soon, elected official — is the first Arab American to be elected to the Kirby School District 140 school board. Shalash, who ran with a slate of candidates in the Apr. 6 Consolidated Elections, scored enough votes to claim the fourth slot that was up for grabs.

The Kirby School District 140 school board oversees John A. Bannes, Fernway Park, Helen Keller, Christa McAuliffe, Millennium, Virgil I. Grissom and Prairie View schools. The new board will be sworn in this May.

As Tinley Park Patch recognizes Arab American Heritage Month, we spoke with Shalash to ask what this accomplishment means to her. Take a look at our conversation, below:

- How does it feel to be elected to the Kirby School District 140 school board?

I am very honored and excited to have been elected to the District 140 school board. I have been an attendee of the meetings for quite some time now. My dear friend Jenna Khalil and I use the meetings as our monthly date night. Yes, I know, we are crazy gals like that. Seriously though, I had mentioned to Jenna many times that I could see myself on our board. We had always spoken of how wonderful our 140 is, of course not without its share of times that have been tough, yet we've always held our mom-heads up high in salute to how our board works. I am so happy to now be able to be a part of this kind-hearted group of people.

- How excited are you to get to work, and what are some things you hope to accomplish on the board?

There are so many things to learn, procedures to understand, protocols to review....lots of work ahead! With that being said, I am eager because once I get past the "new kid" stage, I know I will then begin to enjoy and embrace the position I've been given. In regards to what I hope to accomplish, well, I hope to get the job done. I hope I can listen, as well as be listened to. I hope I can comprehend, as well as be comprehended. I plan to be a decisive part of a team that has shown to be able to work cohesively and thereby, get the job done.

- How does it feel to be the first Arab American to be on the D140 school board?

I love this question....mainly because I am so proud of my heritage. It is a privilege to represent our community. My parents raised me to be proud of who I am. I am the daughter of a wonderful Palestinian man and an amazing Lebanese woman who raised me and my brothers as proud Americans. The beauty of our community here in Tinley Park is that there are so many cultures of incredible people. All of our groups create the fabric of 140. What would we be like if we were all the same? What would we learn and gain from one another? Our diversity is what makes us unique. Our diversity is what makes us relatable. Believe it or not, I often find more in common with my non-Arab friends because before we classify ourselves as culturally different....we are all human first.

- What advice do you have for other Arab Americans in our community thinking of running for an elected position?

To be honest, I would say this to ANYONE considering running for office. They could be Arab, Hispanic, Polish, or any ethnic background you can think of....for, where they come from has nothing to do with their intention. Intention is always the key to what your outcome will be. If said person wants to either continue to help and promote growth within their community, or if they want to assist in being part of a change, then their voice can be heard by running for office. I would also like to advise that our community members, of all cultural groups, take part in your community. Read, learn, listen and ask. Make yourself aware of what's going on around you. You will be thrilled at all the things you learn on what our schools and town have to offer.

- Anything Else?

I would like to say thank you to those that put their faith in me. I will try my best to follow in the footsteps of those that have served 140 so well. I want to thank our 140 board, administrators, teachers and paras who are trying hard to remember to acknowledge that not all kids are the same. We all come from different homes and backgrounds. Remember when I referred to us as a fabric? If we are a fabric of a community together in Tinley Park, we have to hold on tightly to one another. Fabric can wear thin, but if all its threads hold tight, there's no breaking the bond. Our friendships, our neighbors, our schools, our public interactions, all of it defines how we belong. I am so proud of where I live, where my kids have gone to school, and so happy that I can help District 140 continue to be a wonderful district to raise a family.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Tinley Park Patch newsletters and real-time email alerts.