Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award

The Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award, named for the first woman lawyer in Illinois, is bestowed on women who have exemplified excellence in the profession and the practice of law.

2020 Honoree and Recipient

Juliana Stratton

Lt. Governor of Illinois

Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton serves as Illinois state’s 48th Lieutenant Governor. In this role, her portfolio includes leading the Justice, Equity and Opportunity Initiative, and chairing the Illinois Council on Women and Girls, the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, the Military Economic Development Council and the Illinois River Coordinating Council. Lieutenant Governor Stratton currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association as Midwest Member-At-Large. Previously, she represented the 5th District in the Illinois House of Representatives and her first elected office was serving as Chair of the Kenwood Academy Local School Council.

Lieutenant Governor Stratton’s entire career has focused on bringing people together, building consensus, and solving problems. She started her own consulting firm focused on alternative dispute resolution and served as a mediator, arbitrator and administrative law judge for several government agencies. Lieutenant Governor Stratton previously served as Director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Executive Director of the Cook County Justice Advisory Council, and as a Deputy Hearing Commissioner for the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, all with a focus on improving public safety and building stronger communities.

As a lifelong advocate for youth and creating safe spaces for our young people, Lieutenant Governor Stratton is a restorative justice practitioner and trained peace circle keeper. She was also a founding board member of the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and served on the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Protective Association.

Lieutenant Governor Stratton was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. She is the proud graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and DePaul University’s College of Law. She and her husband Bryan live in the Bronzeville community and have four daughters. And when she can find a bit of free time, she enjoys going to concerts, a good documentary, and training for marathons and triathlons.

The WBAI Advocate For Women Award

The WBAI Advocate for Women Award celebrates and recognizes the achievements of an individual who has shown particular commitment to advocating for women, expanding opportunities for women, and promoting women within the legal profession and outside of it.

2020 Honoree and Recipient

Richard Durbin

Senate Minority Whip and Senator for Illinois

Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator, and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation. Senator Durbin also serves as the Democratic Whip, the second-highest-ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Senator Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005. Senator Durbin sits on the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations, Agriculture, and Rules Committees. He is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration and the Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee. Senator Durbin has been a longstanding champion for women in his legislative and professional endeavors and the WBAI is thrilled to bestow the Advocate for Women award on his during its Annual Reception.

The WBAI Distinguished Service Award

The WBAI Distinguished Service Award honors current and retired members of the WBAI throughout the state who have demonstrated exemplary service to the legal profession.

2020 Honoree and Recipient

Diana Joseph

Co-Chief Investment Officer, Partner, Telemus Capital

Diana has managed sophisticated investment strategies for over 32 years. She has additional expertise in asset allocation, equity and fixed income analysis and she has developed proprietary frameworks for macroeconomic and fundamental analysis. She has authored her firm’s investment letters and chart books over the years and has been regularly featured in national publications. Educated also as an attorney, Joseph has been an active community participant including the Investment Committee of the Jewish Federation, numerous women’s groups, and a founding trustee of the Jewish Women’s Foundation.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

We invite you to join in making the 2020 Annual Dinner the best one yet. Click on the button below to explore sponsorship opportunities and to register your company’s sponsorship.