A 7-year-old girl was the first recipient in Lynwood’s history to receive a key to the village for a 911 call she made when her father fell.
Mia Dates called 911 last month after she found her father, Xavier, unconscious in their home after he fell down the stairs and hit his head on the steps, he said. When he regained consciousness, he said he heard Mia giving dispatchers their address. She waited for them while her mother, Star, was at work.
When paramedics arrived, Dates said they told him how brave and strong his daughter was.
Mia said she was nervous to pick up the phone and call officials. She said she felt excited to receive the key ahead of Tuesday’s Village Board meeting.
Dates said he also was excited for his daughter and how she was being honored for her heroic act.
“The most important part is that we’re celebrating something good and we’re not here looking for her or something negative,” Dates said.
He was taken to Franciscan Health Dyer in Indiana for about seven hours. Dates said he experiences back pain and is out on medical leave, but is making a slow and steady recovery. He plans to return to work as a railroad conductor next month.
Village Hall was packed Tuesday with friends, family and residents as Mia was presented the key by Mayor Jada Curry. As Dates prepared to give a speech, he wiped away his tears at the podium and said “Mia, thank you.”
Star said when Mia was 3, she taught her what to do in case of an emergency, and said she was happy she listened.
Lynwood police Chief Gregory Thomas said he was thoroughly impressed with how Dates handled the call. He said it is a concern of his and the department that children don’t know what to do in such situations.
“For someone of her age to be so ready and to have such bravery is certainly inspiring to us all,” Thomas said.
“The youth should understand that the police are meant to help and protect them,” Thomas said.
He said Dates’ case is a good example. He said parents should inform their children what to do in case of emergencies and he credited Mia’s parents and others for making sure she knew how to respond.
Giving Mia the key, Thomas said, was to show young people what happens when they make good choices.
“Our youth need to understand that when you do right, and you do things, there is a chance that people would acknowledge you for those things,” he said. “This attention that Mia’s getting, hopefully, inspires others her age.”
Curry said the time to give Dates the key to the village was fitting because it is Black History Month. Also having it be presented by another woman is a good representation of leadership, too, she said.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Curry said. “So Mia seeing my face shows her the sky is the limit.”
With the recent death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Curry said Dates’ act of bravery is something that Jackson would have hoped to see.
“I could only wish that he were here tonight to see that his journey meant something and that it continues to mean something because it paved the way for people like Mia to be bold, be brave, be fearless and become special human beings,” Curry said.
Dates also received an iPad from the village trustees, a Life Saving Award from Thomas and a Life Saving Award Certificate from fire Chief LaShaun Alston.
Monyã Lampkin, Dates’s aunt, attended to support her niece.
“When I first heard about it, I was nervous, like ‘Oh my God, she’s so young,’” Lampkin said. “Then after I heard the whole story, I was overwhelmed with proudness.”
Lampkin’s husband, Willie, said his wife kept telling him they had to go and see Mia be recognized.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for nothing in the world,” Willie said.
He, too, was proud of his niece. Mia wants to become a safety official when she grows up.
“I think, well, I know she’s gonna grow up to do great things,” he said.
Cam’ron Hardy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
