Aileen Kelleher

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This is a group interview with children of ACORN organizers: Anna Poe-Kest, Jake Streich-Kest, Ryan Kelleher and Aileen Kelleher. Anna is the daughter of Steve Kest and Cate Poe. Jake is the son of Jon Kest and Francine Streich. Ryan and Aileen are the daughters of Madeline Talbott and Keith Kelleher. The four have known each other since they were kids. They spoke about having parents who dedicated their lives to fighting for justice, and how that shaped them into adulthood. They shared childhood memories of attending actions and making signs, being raised in and by the ACORN community, and how their parents juggled their responsibilities as organizers and parents. They shared what it felt like to watch ACORN collapse, and what they believe is missing from the current organizing landscape.

Aileen Kelleher

Archival Objects

Anna Poe-Kest (middle) and two other kids at the 1992 ACORN convention in NYC.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old) marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old) marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old), alonside Steve Kest, marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old) marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Jessie Streich-Kest, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, and Anna Poe-Kest play in the swings at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Jake Streich-Kest, Jessie Streich-Kest, Aileen Talbott-Kelleher, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, Mark Pollett, Jessie Streich-Kest, Jake Streich-Kest play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Mark Pollett, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, Jessie Streich-Kest play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Jessie Streich-Kest, Aileen Talbott-Kelleher, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, and Anna Poe-Kest play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992