Emily Guthrie joined Safety Town in 1984 when she was the Lincoln School representative. She became chairman in 1985. Currently serving as Director, she manages the registration of campers and teen volunteers and hires the Camp Leader.

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Emily has been active in school and city issues since she moved to Evanston. She served as Third Ward Alderman from 1993-97.  In 1992 she worked with the family of Warren Cherry to create the scholarship fund in his name and served as its first president.

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In 2007, she worked with a group that wanted to keep the Civic Center at 2100 Ridge by putting a referendum question on the ballot that fall. In 2010, she chaired the group that worked to keep the library branches from closing and raised $150,000 for salaries.

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After the November 2018 referendum directing the City to save the Harley Clarke building, she is working to fulfill that 80%+ affirmative vote. In June 2023, she was re-elected president of Evanston Lake House and Gardens for a second term.

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In 2013 she brought together a group to revive the New Year's Eve celebration of the arts known as First Night Evanston and after two terms as president, currently serves as its vice president.

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She is a real estate agent, attorney, yoga instructor at the Evanston Park District Levy Center and the mother of two ETHS graduates.