Amy Eshleman graduated from Sterling High School in 1980. While she was at SHS, she was a scholar-athlete. She was a member of National Honor Society, yearbook editor, and the first female “S” Club president. She went to state all four years in tennis and was a member of the first girls’ champion basketball team in 1977. She is a five-time member of the SHS Athletic Hall of Fame, holding one individual honor and four team honors.Amy attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While in college, Amy studied abroad at Miami University in Luxembourg, from 1982-1983.Amy began her professional career employed by the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. She worked on two congressional staffs from 1984-1988.From 1994-2012, Amy worked at the Chicago Public Library as Assistant Commissioner, responsible for strategic planning, and the development of resource sharing partnerships for 79 public library locations in the city of Chicago. She led efforts to create philanthropic partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Carnegie Cooperation of New York, Kraft Foods, Target, and Boeing, to name a few. Amy developed award-winning programs which are national models for libraries and cities such as One Book, One Chicago, Chicago’s city wide reading initiative and YOUmedia, a learning space for teens, which was recognized by President Obama as an innovative STEM program for youth.In 2012, Amy became Program Leader for Education for the Urban Libraries Council. ULC is a membership organization of the leading public libraries in the U.S. and Canada. She is leading a national initiative funded by the MacArthur Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to create a network of new learning spaces for teens in 24 cities across the country. Inspired by YOUmedia, the Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums program reimagines the learning experience for youth in their out-of-school time. Amy also leads ULC’s education initiative.Giving back to her community is a way of life for Amy. She is a board member of Rock for Reading and volunteers at Frances Xavier Warde School and Gordon Tech High School. Amy serves on the Board of Trustees of Steppenwolf Theatre as well as co-chairs its Public Square Committee.Amy resides in Chicago, Illinois, with her domestic partner, Lori Lightfoot, and their 6-year-old daughter, Vivian Lightfoot. Amy shares, “I was incredibly fortunate to grow up in Sterling, attend Sterling High School, and have the support of a loving family, dedicated teachers, coaches, teammates, and friends. It was in Sterling and at SHS where I learned the importance of hard work, integrity, public service, and civic responsibility. I am honored to be chosen for this award from an institution which has played such a significant role in my life and the life of my family. I am very proud to be a Golden Warrior.”