Publications & Sites 
Hussain active in schools, community
Samina Hussain | Contributed photo
Updated: December 23, 2012 6:05AM
MORTON GROVE — Samina Hussain was born in India but came to the United States when she was just 1.
She grew up in Lincolnwood, and she and her family lived in Niles near the Morton Grove border before buying a home in Morton Grove.
Hussain, a certified secondary teacher with a master’s degree in English, is in the middle of her second term on the Golf Elementary School District 67 Board of Education and is chairwoman of the Morton
Grove Community Relations Commission.
Her father was a founder of the Muslim Community Center, which operates a school and mosque in Morton Grove. Hussain has followed in his footsteps, remaining active in the organization.
“It was kind of built into us to get involved in the community,” she said of herself and her siblings.
For Hussain, Morton Grove offers the quality schools she wanted for her three children and the diversity with which she wanted them to grow up.
Q: How long have you lived in Morton Grove?
A: We lived in Niles near the Morton Grove border and were looking for a larger place, at least a single family home. We moved to Morton Grove about 10 years ago.
Q: What drew you to Morton Grove?
A: I was familiar with the schools from friends in high school and they were supposed to be very good. One of the reasons we wanted to move into Morton Grove is the diversity. It’s important to me my kids grow up in a diverse environment and understand people from different backgrounds.
Q: How did you become so involved in the community?
A: When I came here getting involved in the schools was a top priority. I came to a District 67 PTA meting and got involved in planning programs. When my father died, someone encouraged me to run for the School Board. I guess I was ready to take it to the next level.
Q: How about your involvement with the village’s Community Relations Commission?
A: When we were negotiating about the special use permit for the mosque with the federal mediator, I sat on the team from the MCC. There were also representatives of the Community Relations Commission. We try to foster close relationships with the community and try to get people involved. We also deal with fair housing issues.
Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest achievement?
A: Getting on the School Board was one of my proudest moments. My last name is Hussain and I was elected by the public. Some people do vote based on the name. I felt proud of our community too. I worked very hard. I probably went to every doorstep in the district. It was a moment I wished my dad could have seen.
