The YWCA of Lake and McHenry Counties honored nine women for their outstanding achievements in the workplace and the community at its 20th annual Women of Achievement Awards benefit last weekend at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort.
The event raised more than $20,000 to benefit the YWCA’s programs, which serve more than 10,000 residents each year, said executive director Elizabeth Forbrich.
“It is astounding how many women in this community are women of achievement,” Forbrich said.
The YWCA board of directors selected Grace Mary Stern of Highland Park as the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award, the first ever given by the organization. Stern served Lake County as county clerk for 12 years and as state representative from 1984 to 1992, followed by a two-year term as state senator.
“For nearly 30 years, Stern has been a role model for women and especially those aspiring to the political arena,” said board president Charmaine Estep of Grayslake. “She has always been an inspiration to me and a mentor to many of the women on the board. We want to thank her for everything she has done. She’s quite a lady.”
The areas of recognition and the eight recipients of a Women of Achievement award are:
– Arts: Eileen Boevers of Highland Park, artistic director of Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park. Boevers opened an arts workshop 29 years ago and established the Apple Tree Theatre 15 years ago.
– Business: Patricia Austin of Buffalo Grove, executive vice president of Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. Austin developed 25 innovative programs and facilities for Condell to better meet the needs of the community.
– Community Volunteer: Eleanor Murkey of Waukegan, associate dean of the College of Lake County. Murkey sits on the board of five organizations.
– Education: M. Jeanne Dolphus Cotton of Vernon Hills, executive director of Trinity Universal Center in Waukegan, a personal development center. Cotton partners with school districts and organizations to deal with positive youth-family development.
– Entrepreneurship: Susan Aldrich of Lincolnshire, CEO of Landscape Services Inc. in Prairie View. Owner of three successful businesses, Aldrich volunteered to serve as the building committee chairwoman for LaCASA (Lake County Against Sexual Assault), a rape crisis center.
– Professional: Maureen Murphy of Lake Bluff, director of community case work, Catholic Charities of Lake County. Murphy helped develop a food pantry to help those with HIV/AIDS maintain a high nutritional standard.
– Public Service: State Rep. Corinne Wood (R-Lake Forest) (the name as published has been corrected here and in a subsequent reference in this text). Wood is an advocate for women and children’s, senior, education and financial issues.
– Racial Justice: Sandra J. Hoeg of Winthrop Harbor, counselor at Highland Park High School. As a member of the Multicultural Task Force, Hoeg invited leaders to brainstorm about how to help the growing low-income multicultural population in the larger community.
Paula Wolff, president of Governors State University in University Park, was keynote speaker for the event, which provides a unique opportunity for business and civic leaders to celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues, employees and friends.
Doug Weber, president of United Way of Lake County, was part of the celebration.
“The YWCA is one of the organizations that receives money through United Way,” Weber said. “They do an outstanding job, and this evening is an excellent way to recognize individuals who have done a lot for the Lake County area.”
