Michelle Morales, President Of Woods Fund Chicago And A Voice For Change, Dies At 51

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Michelle Morales was committed to making sure everybody had a seat at the table. A community organizer, educator and advocate, Morales died Thursday of complications from metastatic breast cancer, her family announced. She was 51 years old. Morales, a Washington Heights resident, was president of Woods Fund Chicago, a foundation supporting community groups that organize neighbors for racial and economic justice. She had held that position since 2019. More recently, she co-chaired Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition team in early 2023 before Johnson appointed her to the Chicago Board of Education in July 2023, a position she held until October 2024. Mia Henry has served as interim president at Woods Fund Chicago since September when Morales had to step away due to her health. Henry described the late foundation president as deeply self-reflective, with a great sense of humor, always striving to do what s right. “We could count on her to bring honest