ETHS honors 7 with 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award

Seven Evanston Township High School alumni — Helen Cromer Cooper, Dr. Alvin Keith, Karly Kupferberg, Ellen Rosenblum, Austin Tao, Dr. Florence Winfield, and Mike Wynn — were honored with the schools Distinguished Alumni Award at a ceremony held on Dec. 5.

The award, which began in 2003, is presented to graduates of Evanston Township High School who exemplify the tradition of excellence fostered at ETHS through professional achievements in their chosen fields, service, and/or contributions to society. according to the school’s website.

Cooper graduated in the Class of 1924 and was one of the first Black women to attend Northwestern University where she earned a degree in social work. She later became the first woman of color appointed Assistant Regional Representative of the Bureau of Public Assistance at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. She received her award posthumously.

Keith originally attended Xavier university in New Orleans but came back to Chicago to study premed at Loyola University. A graduate of 1941, he volunteered service in World War II and served as a Tuskegee Airmen with the 477th Bombardment Squadron. He later opened a podiatry practice in Evanston and served the community until his death.

Kupferberg, a Class of 2003 graduate, works in countries experiencing war and is currently in Ukraine training to clear communities from explosive threats and help them rebuild. She was awarded her International Mine Action Standards, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Level 3) certification and hopes to inspire more women to enter the field.

Rosenblum is the first woman elected as Attorney General of the state of Oregon and is serving her third term. She has been a lifelong advocate of women in the legal profession and has fought for reproductive freedom, environmental justice, civil rights and the most vulnerable living in Oregon. The 1968 graduate has had her work recognized by the American Bar Association.

Tao works as a landscape architect across the country becoming a National Trustee and Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He also served as National President of the Organization of Chinese Americans, an advocacy group dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He graduated from ETHS in 1961.

Winfield is the namesake for the Winfield Moody Clinic in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood in honor of her legacy treating the underserved Black community of Chicago at Children’s Memorial hospital. She built a practice in Evanston and helped supported the Evanston Community Hospital. Winfield received her award posthumously and graduated from ETHS in 1944.

Wynn played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots after being drafted by the former in 1970. Following his professional football career, he came back to ETHS and took several positions including football coach, driver’s education instructor, and Dean of Students. After his son passed in a swimming accident in 1987, he and his wife Marcia created the Justin Wynn Fund in his memory. His award was given posthumously and he graduated from ETHS in 1965.