Winning Women
We are now accepting nominations for the 2010 Winning Women Award. For the nomination form, click here.
The Winning Women Awards Program was created by Congresswoman Melissa Bean to honor outstanding women of the 8th Congressional District who tirelessly work to improve their community, better the lives of others or expand the scope and mission for an organization they serve. Each woman has challenged herself, and through her commitment, efforts and leadership, has transformed lives and inspired others to make a difference in their daily lives and communities.
Every year, numerous community services, professional organizations and local colleges are contacted to nominate an exceptional woman who should be considered for this recognition. She may be a community leader, peer or friend.
The Winning Women for 2009 are:
Teresa Aguinaldo - College of Lake County's Women's Center
Teresa has been a teacher, mentor, coordinator and advocate at the College of Lake County since 1991. She founded the College of Lake County's Women's Center that is devoted to reaching out to female students, particularly those who find education as a means to a better life, yet lack the confidence or support to make that leap of faith. Teresa has created a network that provides funding, referrals for community assistance and education/awareness programs for "at risk" female students. She is also responsible for the development and production of the college's Gender Conference, one of the few that invites college faculty, community members and undergraduate students, especially those from a community college, to share their academic and professional work in a public forum.
Q: Who are you?
A: I am a professor of English and the director of the Women's Center at the College of Lake County which I founded in 2003. I am approaching my 20th year as an English faculty member, teaching composition, gender and sexuality and women's literature. I am married with three children-all boys-two of whom are grown up and have given me two grandchildren-both girls. My youngest son is a teenager. When I married, I chose to keep my maiden name, Aguinaldo, which means "Christmas present" in Spanish. Who wouldn't want to keep a name like that!
When I was in college, I was a struggling single mother of two children. When I took a seminar on literary criticism in my senior year, I discovered a number of writings by women, which saved my life. That experience influences what I teach today. About mid-way through my career, motivated by my personal experience, I realized that I needed to help women, particularly those with disadvantages coming into college. I also wanted to provide general education about women's and gender issues, so that our community could be more aware of how our social roles impact our identities and our relationships with others.
Q: Name the most important lessons you have learned in life:
- To help others as much as I can. If I don't show compassion for others and help them to be successful or just to survive, then why am I here?! What's my purpose as a human being?
- As cliché as it sounds, education is the key. Don't put it off if you can help it. In an educational environment, one will find a world of knowledge, experience, opportunity and support that one most likely would not get otherwise
- Love the important people in your life as much as possible. There is no greater joy than truly loving someone.
Kelli Brooks - Lake County Center for Independent Living
Kelli demonstrated first hand that going door-to-door to collect petition signatures can have a huge impact in a community. After learning that a loved one, who uses a wheelchair, was told she couldn't use the American Disabilities Act Paratransit bus service because she lived outside its service area, Kelly went to work to improve things. Her presentation before her township board about the lack of public transportation for those with disabilities led to affordable, accessible transportation for them in northwest Lake County. Her successful LCCIL forum before the Lake County Board resulted in its financial support of a special pilot program with the ultimate goal of having borderless transportation for all disabled residents of Lake County.
Laurie Dayon - Girls on the Run
After reading about Girls on the Run in a magazine, Laurie thought, "I wish I had that as a kid!' She then decided that just because she didn't have it in her community growing up, didn't mean that it couldn't be in her community today. So she placed a call to Girls on the Run International and started a program in McHenry. Girls on the Run is an after-school, curriculum-based program for 3rd - 8th grade girls that focuses on building self-esteem and positive body image through the power of running. Although training for a 5K run or walk is part of the program, confidence and self-respect are the primary goals. Laurie's program in McHenry County started with 2 schools and 17 girls in 2007 and now boasts 250 girls at 18 schools with the goal of having 400 girls at 30 sites in the county by next spring.
Q: Who are you?
A: I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, little sister to three brothers, aunt and niece. I am a runner, reader and friend. I am passionate about my work, my family and focusing on my mind, body and spirit.
Q: What impresses you most about the organization you work for (if applicable)?
A: It's simple - Girls on the Run attracts amazing people. It is true, honest and vulnerable. People with many different backgrounds all come together with one goal in mind - to make sure we teach young girls how to live life outside of the "girl box".
Q: How did you get into your current line of work?
A: I was looking to get involved with Girls On The Run of Chicago and contacted them. They told me that since there was nothing in my area, I needed to start up my own GOTR council. With a one year old and four year old at the time, I thought they were nuts. But as I read more about the curriculum and outcomes of Girls on the Run, I knew I had to start it in our community. While McHenry County has plenty of sports programs and a few programs that focus on self-esteem, there are none that offer that combination in a non-competitive, supportive "you go girl" environment.
Patricia Dieckhoff - Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute, McHenry County College
Pat has been a tireless advocate for the environment for most of her adult life. Upon completing a Master's program in Environmental Studies/Education, Pat was a member of both the McHenry County Defenders and the McHenry County Waste Advisory Committee before she secured funding to initiate her McHenry County Schools Recycling Education Program. It is now presented in 55 schools, reaching over 33,000 students. Her work for the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at McHenry County College resulted in the McHenry County Official Green Guide, a publication received by over 45,000 households each year. Pat also initiated the local NIKE Reuse a Shoe Program that has diverted over 35,000 pairs of shoes from landfills to running tracks and inner city playgrounds.
Q: Who are you?
A: I am a person concerned about the planet we live on and the huge impact we, especially Americans, are having on the earth. Our impact is already affecting poor people throughout the world in a very negative way. The effects on our lives and future generations will continue to grow if we don't take action now.
Q: What projects, initiatives are you or your organization working on right now?
A: Right now, we are in the middle of updating the McHenry County Official Green Guide 2010 and adding to new locations that recycle new items, such as, block Styrofoam, gift cards and much more. The 2010 Green Guide will be an insert in the Northwest Herald on April 22nd (Earth Day) and will be available to pick up at many public institutions and online at www.mchenry.edu/recycling . We have also started planning the Bioneers Green Expo coming to McHenry County College on November 6th, 2010. The theme this year is Food and How It Is All Connected. Great speakers, panel discussions plus local food will be provided by the new MCC Culinary Management Program and Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen.
Q: What are three skills that you think are essential for your job?
The essential ingredients for my job are a passion for improving our environment, a creativity to explore solutions for challenges and an interest in working with others to take action.
Elizabeth Hoeft - American Association of University Women, Elgin Branch
Libby is currently co-president of the AAUW and has enjoyed a successful career as a speech and language pathologist in private practice, school districts and universities. She was appointed by Governor Jim Edgar to draft legislation that would mandate services for at-risk children from birth to age three. Her scholarship foundation has awarded money to 46 high school graduates that have overcome learning and physical disabilities in order to help them successfully move on in their lives. Libby also fulfilled the dream of her late husband to open a PADS facility (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) in Elgin in 2007. When the Elgin Symphony Orchestra League was struggling, Libby's fund-raising efforts pulled it back to viability. As a Symphony Board Co-Chair, she is now working to raise an endowment of $2 million to sponsor and encourage music education for children and adults in Elgin.
Joy Martin - Home of the Sparrow
As one of the original founding members of Home of the Sparrow, Joy is still actively involved 23 years later with providing shelter and services to homeless women and children. She works full time educating communities on how they can support these individuals and help rebuild their lives. Her positive energy and passion is felt whenever she speaks, inspiring others to become involved and make a difference. Joy's skillful touch has expanded Home of the Sparrow from a small agency with 7 volunteers to a thriving organization with over 40 employees, 300 volunteers, 2 shelters, several apartment units and 4 thrift shops, serving over 2400 women and children in northern Illinois.
Q: How did you get into your current line of work?
A: In 1983, a growing awareness surfaced in McHenry County of increasing numbers of homeless individuals and families who were coming to local churches for help. In my church mission capacity, I attended informational meetings that led to seven of us forming a Seeking Committee/Board of Directors to start a transitional shelter program for homeless women and children now known as Home of the Sparrow.
Q: What program is your organization working on right now?
A: Home of the Sparrow opened the doors to its first shelter in 1986 and has always been alert to new, more effective ways to help families accomplish goals that will not only help them overcome homelessness but develop healthier family relationships. At present, a program started in 2009 called The Incredible Years, meets every Thursday combining community groups who provide a meal for HOS families and a few clients from the PADS and Turning Point shelters. Staff members then teach tools beneficial to families as they learn new techniques for handling stress-related problems.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: A favorite component of my job is talking to community churches, civic groups and prospective volunteers of all ages. I have seen young children as young as six spearhead collections of needed items from our Wish List; teenagers exhibit positive role models as they provide child care for our young children, as well as senior citizens who also freely share their time and talents in our Sparrow's Nest thrift stores. Seeing volunteers of different ages and backgrounds become good friends as they work together for the benefit of HOS families is a bonus we could never have imagined when starting Home of the Sparrow.
Wendy Paulson - Conservation Educator
As a volunteer, teacher, leader and professional, Wendy has imbedded her love of nature and her advocacy for birds and native prairies in the Eighth District. She started the Nature Lady Program in the Barrington School District, fostering awareness and interest in conservation for many young minds. Wendy engaged the Audubon Chicago Region in the restoration of the native prairie and grasslands in the Spring Creek Forest Preserves, resulting in 4000 acres of protected natural wilderness in the 8th District. She has also served as chair of the Illinois Nature Conservancy and is currently chair of RARE, an international conservation organization that works to preserve rare and unusual animals and the habitats that sustain them.
Mary Podjasek - Diabetes Scholars
While living with a husband and daughter diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a life-threatening, chronic illness, Mary decided to do whatever she could to help the millions of other children dealing with this disease. Her family's participation in walks and the special bracelets she and her son sold raised over $150,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Diabetes Research Institute. Mary's own Diabetes Scholars Foundation has awarded scholarships to over 100 families so they can attend diabetes education conferences and additionally, has awarded $5000 college scholarships to 40 students with Type 1 diabetes. This year Mary received 650 applications from 49 states for scholarships from the foundation.
Q: How did you get into your current line of work?
A: Both my daughter and husband have Type 1 diabetes. Life with diabetes is never easy. That's why a group of parents of diabetic kids in 2004 created the Diabetes Scholars Foundation (DSF). The goal was to lessen the burden of diabetes through education that gives affected people the tools they need to deal with the disease.
Q: What projects or initiatives are you or your organization working on right now?
A: Ours is the only foundation that funds college scholarships for which only students in the United States with Type 1 Diabetes are eligible. Our founders' goal was that - in this one small area of life - diabetes could be an advantage. Since 2008 the Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 in college scholarships to kids with Type 1, through scholarships of $5,000 each. In addition, we have awarded over 100 scholarships for families to attend diabetes education conferences. Comments from past participants have been "this was life changing" and "we feel like we are part of a new family".
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: My greatest joy is in contacting scholarship recipients. I have had several parents break down and cry when I let them know that their child will be awarded a $5,000 college scholarship. I can feel the appreciation that these students have when I contact them. Also, I have received so many thank yous and hugs from both kids and their parents for awarding them a conference scholarship. These families would have otherwise been unable to attend a diabetes education conference without our help and they are truly grateful for the opportunity. It changes their life.
Alaine Garcia - Harper College Student
Alaine was chosen as an Emerging Winning Women because of the great things she is doing at Harper College and the potential she has for doing more great things once she graduates. After living in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago with a father who couldn't read and a trouble-prone brother, Alaine decided she wanted more in life, moved to Palatine and went back to school. She enrolled at Harper College and Lincoln Technical Institute, where her brother also decided to enroll after being inspired by her actions. At Harper, Alaine has been on the Campus Activities Board, served two terms as a Harper Student Senator and was a Student Trustee. She is currently Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper, the Harbinger.
Q: Who are you?
A: My name is Alaine Garcia I am a the former student Trustee at Harper College. I am member of Phi-Theta-Kappa. I am studying to become a electronic systems technician at Lincoln College of Technology. I will graduate in June 2010.
Q: How do you reach out into people in your community?
A: My background is very diverse and it seems like I fall into non-traditional roles many times. It all depends on which type of group you are trying to address. There are always electronic forms and technology that allows us to do this, but the most effective way to reach out is to meet face-to-face, especially when working on community projects or working with a group of people.
Q: Do you have any favorite stories from your life work?
A: I still have a lot of my life's work to accomplish, and being one the younger recipients of the Winning Woman award, I am very honored. I could site the time I worked on Barack Obama's campaign when he was an unknown trying to run for senate, or when I was on City Year and my team's model was nationally adopted as a literacy program- affecting thousands of students; but what I remember most is Derek, a young boy from Lathrop Academy on the Southwest side of Chicago. Derek was struggling with all his subjects, hyper-active, under appreciated, and misunderstood. It was the one-on-one time we spent together, the extra attention, that helped pull him through. Derek used to never smile, and he had a beautiful smile! But walking through that door, and having him greet me every morning, especially the morning when he got his first A on his vocabulary test- it made all the difference. Being the daughter of a father who is illiterate, this had a huge impact on me. Helping this boy was just an affirmation of where I wanted my life's work to go. It let me know I DID make a difference.
Q: What traits should a leader possess?
A: Integrity, effective listening and communication skills, Responsibility and accountability.
Following is information about the Winning Women 2008 honorees: Caryn Brauweiler, Judy Fried, Suzanne Hoban, Susan McConnell, and Karen Selman.
Caryn Brauweiler
Children's Advocacy Center of North & Northwest Cook County - Eight years ago, Caryn identified a need for services for young children who witness violence in their homes, a population of children often overlooked and underserved. Caryn took a leadership role to develop the "Safe from the Start" program. The program has grown to serve more than 250 children and adults in the northwest suburbs each year. Caryn is passionate in her commitment to helping children who are victims of abuse and maltreatment and their families.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been providing direct services to children and families for nineteen years. I graduated with my Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, in l990. I have dedicated my career to helping women and children heal from violence and abuse through the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) of North and Northwest Cook County in different capacities for the last fourteen years. I am also the busy mother of two precious teen aged girls.
Q: What impresses you most about the organization you work for?
A: Several things about CAC are impressive to me. First, is the mission of the organization "to continuously strive to reduce trauma and provide support to child victims of violence and their families"; it is this mission that drew me to the Center fourteen years ago. It is sad that there is a need for an organization such as ours; but since there is, I am glad that our Center exists and provides trauma focused services to children and families
Secondly, I am impressed with the staff of our organization. They are dedicated professionals and very passionate about the Center's mission and the children and families they serve. They continuously strive to keep up with current research in order to provide the best services to victims of abuse and continue to grow as professionals. Our executive director works at the state wide level to impact public policy and legislation that will help protect our children and make our communities safer.
Finally, it is the children and families that come to our organization that impress me most of all. They come to us with unimaginable stories of violence and abuse; their sense of safety has been shaken and their trust has been betrayed. Once they realize they are in a safe place with someone who truly cares and can bare witness to their pain, they begin to heal and have hope for their future. It is amazing to witness them overcome such adversity. They are truly resilient.
Q: What projects or initiatives are you or your organization working on right now?
A: Currently, I am the director of the Safe from the Start program of the CAC of North and Northwest Cook County. It is a community-based, collaborative model for preventing and treating the harmful effects of exposure to violence on young children, birth to five years, and their families
In addition to Safe from the Start, I am involved in three outside initiatives. The first is the 3rd District Family Violence Coordinating Council whose purpose is to establish a forum to share and discuss information in order to promote a coordinated response to family violence in our communities.
I have been working with the Illinois Childhood Trauma Coalition since 2005 whose goal is to increase knowledge of the impact of childhood trauma and disseminate it into public awareness and the systems that serve children and families in Illinois
Most recently, I joined The Partnership for Women's Mental Health which is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of local civic leaders and mental health and wellness professionals who promote women's mental health through education, collaboration and information resources for the community.
Q: What drives you to help others?
A: It comes from my desire to make a difference in the life of a child. I believe that all children are precious and have the right to a safe childhood free from violence and abuse. Children are our hope for our future; what they experience in childhood is what they bring with them into adulthood. Violence and abuse are transmitted from one generation to the next; I want to help stop that cycle.
Q: What are some of the goals and challenges you or your organization are likely to face during the next year.
A: A constant challenge for our organization is funding. In today's economy, resources are scarce and the competition is enormous. Our program has grown over the last 20 years and the space in which our agency is housed remains the same. In order to better serve our clients, we need to increase it. Recently, we launched a Capital Campaign to raise the money to fund the much needed renovation and addition to our Center.
An additional challenge for our organization is the Safe from the Start Program that provides prevention and intervention services to young children from birth to five years of age who have been exposed to violence. Our program offers these services in the home when it is safe to do so, removing barriers to treatment such as transportation and child care. Since we expanded Safe from the Start to serve eight communities in 2005, the demand for these services continues to grow outside of our eight communities such as Wheeling, Palatine, and Des Plaines. Meeting the needs of these areas in the northwest suburbs would require additional funding to hire, train and supervise new staff.
Judy Fried
Nicasa - During Judy's 25 year tenure as Executive Director of Nicasa, she developed nationally recognized parent programming, Teen Court, award-winning prevention programming, Women's Services, Latino Services, jail services, and after school programming. Judy was responsible for the initial development and co-founding of A Safe Place, Lake County's domestic violence shelter for women. She serves on a variety of different councils and committees, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Advisory Council, and is Vice-Chair to the Illinois Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependency.
Q: What impresses you most about your organization?
A: During my 32 years with Nicasa, we have been on the cutting edge of developing programs to meet community needs. Nicasa was the first organization in Lake County to offer Latino substance abuse services. We developed one of the first comprehensive community partnerships called "Fighting Back". Our Women's Program was one of the first comprehensive gender specific programs which provided childcare, transportation, parenting, outreach, recovery support and employment development. Our Prevention programs developed a strength based approach to working with youth years before it became the best practice. Our treatment programs have incorporated acupuncture, yoga, biofeedback, meditation, and other Eastern modalities. Nicasa's Parenting Program has become a national model program for training other organizations in 20 states. Nicasa's philosophy is that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect with a strength-based focus.
Q: What projects, initiatives, are you or your organization working on right now?
A: I have felt that people in recovery need to have opportunities so they can feel a sense of hope. Two years ago, I spearheaded a business with the women in recovery called Women of W.O.R.T.H. (working on restoring trust and hope) Creations. The women in recovery are making beautiful jewelry with beads made of clay from Mt. Kenya called Kazuri beads. The factory that makes these beads enables Kenyan women to find a way out of poverty through employment.
The Women of WORTH and the women in Kenya have a common connection: empowering themselves through financial well-being. Women of WORTH Creations make the jewelry and market it through telling their stories. Initially, Nicasa's Women's Auxiliary hosted house parties which included these stories about the women's struggles; and now we are selling the jewelry on consignment with local retailers and hosting parties at art galleries, holiday events, and other venues. We are now looking at ways to expand the business, which supports the futures of women in recovery. The Women of WORTH and the Women's Auxiliary hosted a benefit luncheon on May 16th called "From Surviving to Thriving". This is what I hope all women will experience: a thriving life.
Q: What are the most important lessons you've learned in life?
A: My years of experience have taught me that a positive, "can do" attitude will get a lot of things accomplished. If you have an idea about what you want to accomplish and put effort and enthusiasm behind it, many times you will see it become a reality. It is important to motivate others as to the benefit of your idea and help make those who need to be included feel a part of the process.
Q: What is the favorite part of your job?
A: The favorite part of my job is the ability to be creative about what programs are needed and how to get them developed and funded. The best part is when these programs are successful and people truly benefit from participation. Another great part of my job is all the people I get to meet. In one day, I might work with inmates at the County jail and then have a meeting with corporate executives. Being with Nicasa has truly enriched me as a person and as part of a larger community.
Q: What traits does a leader possess?
A: A leader possesses an ability to motivate others with a vision, mission and goals. A true leader must "walk the walk." It is important to be really passionate about what you are doing and where you want to go. The qualities that are important are integrity, authenticity, intelligence and compassion. I really believe that being able to get others enthusiastic about what you are trying to accomplish is the sign of a good leader.
Suzanne Hoban
Family Health Partnership Clinic - Suzanne is the Founder and Executive Director of the Family Health Partnership Clinic, founded in 1996 to serve the medical needs of the uninsured. The clinic has grown from one volunteer provider serving 500 families annually to 26 providers serving over 8000 patients annually. It has also developed health programs to serve specialized patient needs such as diabetes clinics, eye clinics, and cancer screening and prevention programs.
Q: What impresses you most about the organization you work for?
A: My staff at the Family Health Partnership Clinic is the most compassionate, caring team of people I've ever worked with. They are fun to be around, and have done a tremendous job working under fairly trying circumstances. The stresses in this line of work are enormous and our staff rolls with it. They are fabulous.
Q: How did you get into your current line of work?
A: I was working in a refugee camp in Malaysia in the middle of the South China Sea. I found that it was easier to get medical care there than it was if you were uninsured in the United States! I attempted to open a wholly volunteer clinic and failed miserably. When we finally got some dollars to get it started, it became a reality.
Q: What projects or initiatives are you or your organization working on right now?
A: We are trying to evaluate the possibility of opening a satellite clinic. We are quickly outgrowing our current space and need to figure out a way to serve more of the people who come to us for help.
Q: What are the most important lessons you've learned in life so far?
A: Keep your priorities straight. Be grateful for your health. Family is more important than anything else. And don't forget to carve out time for yourself.
Q: Name three skills that you think are essential for your job.
A: Flexibility, vision and a good sense of humor.
Susan McConnell
Susa McConnell Photography - Susan McConnell Photography specializes in photographing children as well as creating exhibits that challenge and change the world. Susan created the photography exhibit entitled Finding Strength for Wellness Place, a cancer resource center. The exhibit is unprecedented in the amount of recognition it has brought to the cause that is championed by Wellness Place. Susan is also a Heart Gallery Photographer. The Illinois Heart Gallery is a photography exhibit showcasing foster children who are available for adoption. Statistically, children in The Heart Gallery have a 50% chance of finding a home.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I have an MBA from DePaul University as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from DePaul. I am self taught in photography.
Q: How did you get into photography?
A: Three of my four children came to me through adoption and I felt passionate about providing their birth families with great photographs of them while they were growing up. Combining that passion with great photographic equipment caused my career to emerge. Once my children were all in school full time, I opened my photography studio in the heart of my town, Barrington, Illinois.
Q: What initiatives are you working on right now?
A: I am creating a photography exhibit for Wellness Place entitled "Sole Impressions, A Walk with Cancer." The photographs will consist of fine art prints of the shoes worn through one's cancer journey. The exhibit is just part of a much larger campaign and I'm excited to include my photography with such an all encompassing and worthy project.
My studio is currently promoting our photography exhibit entitled Finding Strength which also benefits Wellness Place.
It is important to also mention my studio's efforts in promoting The Heart Gallery of Illinois.
Q: What drives you to help others?
A: The impact of photography is powerful beyond words. When I volunteer for "The Heart Gallery" and take photographs of a foster child who is available for adoption, that child's chance of finding a forever home jumps from 5% to 50%.
I grew up in a situation where I didn't have many of the resources and benefits that some of these children need so I identify with them. Now I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can have a direct impact on a very positive outcome for them. When I am behind my camera and they are looking at me, I know that there is an excellent chance that the images I am creating are about to change their lives.
Q: What's your favorite part of your job?
A: I am a photographer of people and, whether I am photographing children or families or weddings, I love my job. But my community art feeds my soul. Through my photography projects I am able to take the message of a cause and deliver it to the public where it secures more attention than any traditional marketing or public relations effort. Through my photography exhibits I am able to be an activist for a cause without being partisan. Whether it is for the good work of Wellness Place or The Heart Gallery, my contributions are a way for me to use my vision in a very powerful way.
Karen Selman
Children's Home & Aid - More than 30 years ago, Karen Selman seized the leadership role of a small community child care project in Palatine, Illinois, designed to bring mothers off welfare. The model she developed in that small child care center in Palatine was replicated in Schaumburg and Carpentersville, to where today all three sites are part of the Children's Home & Aid Agency and serve over 250 children and families daily. Karen is a vice president for the Agency and in that role she oversees those sites, and is supervising the construction of a child care facility in Schaumburg, which will serve sixty-eight new children and their families.
Q: How did you get into your current line of work?
A: Upon retiring, I agreed to help raise $1 million to retire the debt on the Schaumburg Child and Family Center, which I helped build.
Q: What projects, initiatives are you or your organization working on right now?
A: My life's work is in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education. As a high school teacher, I saw the kids waiting to turn sixteen so they could drop out of school. Work in the early childhood years is the assuring factor in the prevention of later school and life failures for kids.
Q: How do you reach out to people in your community?
A: Saying "yes" to just about everything.
Q: What are some of goals and challenges you or your organization are likely to face during the next year?
A: Funding cuts in early childhood will do irreparable damage to today's early childhood population.
Q: What traits should a leader possess?
A: Integrity, vision, and confidence.
Dr. Kimberlee Curnyn
Pediatric Ophthalmologist - Kimberlee Curnyn, M.D. has privileges at Northwest Community Hospital, Alexian Brothers Medical Center, St. Alexius Medical Center, and the University of Illinois. Dr. Curnyn also volunteers with ORBIS International, a not for profit group that is dedicated to providing eye care in developing countries. She has performed cataract and strabismus surgeries to children in Vietnam, China, Africa, and South America. Here in our community, she provides care to pediatric patients without insurance or low income patients in the northwest suburbs and at the University of Illinois.
Susie Duboe-Bryant
West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs and WINGS - One of the founding members of the Chicago-based Network of Women Entrepreneurs, Susie served for many years on the board of directors and for two terms as President. Susie was a Board member from 1991 to 2001 of Women In Need Growing Stronger (WINGS), serving three terms as president and a period of time as acting director of the agency. Under her leadership, the WINGS program expanded in not only the amount of women and children that could be accommodated, but also in the programs offered. She is also a volunteer with Heartland International.
Vicky Wauterlek - Hands of Hope
Hands of Hope began after a trip to Nigeria in 1999 disclosed startling health conditions affecting girls and women. A grassroots effort of just a few has now grown to include over 250 volunteers, annual fundraising events, and cooperative relationships with other helping organizations. With an ever-expanding support base in the Chicago area and a clear vision focused on making a difference, Hands of Hope works to raise community awareness and provides resources to women and children that offer education, address health concerns and provide the tools and resources for women to be economically self sustaining. Today, Hands of Hope targets the enormous impact of poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic on women and children in Africa.
