State Constitutionals recognize Women’s History Month 2012

Simon, Madigan and Topinka salute Women of Distinction

 

CHICAGO, IL – State Constitutional Officers Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka honored 12 distinguished women for professional and community accomplishments recently during a Women’s History Month celebration at the James R. Thompson Center.

Created by the female elected leaders and moderated by ABC 7 Weekend News Co-Anchor Karen Jordan, the event highlighted the courage, creativity and diligence of the honorees. The state officers detailed the accomplishments of each honoree, and presented plaques to commemorate the occasion.

Specifically, Lieutenant Governor Simon saluted Alyssa Hernandez, a member of the Rich Township 227 Board of Education, for being one the only teenagers in state history to win a school board election; Dr. Leslie Anne Navarro, the first female and first Latina to serve as President at Morton College; Mary Jane Chesley, former educator and current Mayor of Mount Vernon, for her dedication to public service; and Terra Brockman, author and founder of The Land Coalition, for her dedication to agriculture.    Attorney General Madigan presented awards to Lisa Gilmore, Director of Education and Victim Advocacy; Marilyn Hite Ross, Deputy State’s Attorney of Winnebago County; Michelle Hamilton, Director of Corporate Training in the Center for Business and Industry at John A. Logan College; and Polly Poskin, Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Comptroller Topinka recognized Anne Pramaggiore, the first woman CEO of Commonwealth Edison; Danielle Green Byrd, Notre Dame University alum, for her dedicated service in our armed forces; Monika Tietz, member of the Polish Initiative of Chicago, for her advocacy of immigrant justice issues; and Dr. Sharon K. Hahs, President of Northeastern Illinois University.

March is Women’s History Month, meant to highlight the contributions of women in history and contemporary society.

Photo Caption: From Left to Right: ABC 7 Weekend News Co-Anchor Karen Jordan, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and Illinois State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Photo by Teresa J. Potasiak