By: Jane Sitorious
The WBAI hosted its annual Judicial Reception on March 9 at the Chicago Cultural Center, honoring the Women of the Illinois Supreme Court. The WBAI chose to honor the seven women who have served, or currently serve, on the Illinois Supreme Court because these women have shown us that we do not need to accept the limitations placed on us and not to be afraid to break barriers to achieve your goals.
The honorees were Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, Justice Joy V. Cunningham, Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford, Justice Mary K. O’Brien, Justice Lisa Holder White, Justice Anne M. Burke, and Justice Rita B. Garman. The WBAI created a new award – the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Judicial Achievement Award – to recognize the unique accomplishments of this group of women. These women are such an inspiration to all women and women attorneys, especially at a time where women’s rights are being threatened in many ways.
The venue was packed from wall to wall with over 600 attendees eager to celebrate this year’s honorees. Congratulations to all of the Justices for your achievements and contributions to the legal profession. You are all more than deserving of the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Judicial Achievement Award.
Thank you to all who attended this year’s Judicial Reception and made it such a wonderful and inspiring night. A very special thank you to our Judicial Reception co-chairs, Katie Twardack, Caroleann Gallagher and Kelly Sabo Gaden, for leading the Annual Dinner committee in another extremely successful event. We would also like to thank our generous sponsors, without whom the evening wouldn’t have been possible. We hope you will join us again next year!
This article was originally published in the WBAI Spring 2023 Newsletter on page 57.