The Eastland Disaster Historical Society (EDHS) was founded in late 1998 as a family-run organization. After the first few years of establishing itself by providing an important - and missing - service to the public, the organization sought to grow the membership on its board beyond just the family members. In 2002, Bill Braden and several other volunteers from Chicago-area businesses joined the EDHS Board of Trustees. Bill later grew the capabilities of the Board by organizing a Board Development workshop at the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park University (Chicago).
To acknowledge and celebrate Bill's heartfelt and passionate contributions to EDHS, the EDHS Board of Trustees voted unanimously to create a permanent legacy honoring his volunteer service. (Read the board's declaration here.)
This honorary webpage, plus a parcel of Red Cross historical documents named in honor of Bill that were donated to the Newberry Library, serve as reminders of Bill's lasting legacy to EDHS, its community of followers, and the public in general.
