Women's Bar Association of Illinois

Community Outreach Program

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois is pleased to announce that it will host a drive for women’s business suits, accessories and career development literature for Dress for Success from February 23 – 25, 2011. Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that strives to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help women thrive at work and in life. WBAI’s suit drive is hosted in conjunction with Dress for Success’ annual S.O.S. (Send One Suit) clothing drive. In addition to women’s business suits, Dress for Success has a need for the following:

Women’s suits, blouses and other professional attire (please ensure that all donations are clean, pressed and on hangers), including plus sizes; New hosiery, particularly plus or queen sizes; Books pertaining to interviewing and other career skills; and 2011 organizers; monetary donations.

Drop off donations at the WBAI’s offices at 321 S. Plymouth Court, #4S, Chicago, Illinois or if you work at a participating firm, you may drop off the items at your firm’s designated area.

Participating Firms:
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Chapman and Cutler LLP, FMHC Corp., Jones Day, Kerns, Frost & Pearlman LLP, Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP, Mayer Brown, Much Shelist, Ropes & Gray LLP, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Troutman Sanders LLC, Vedder Price, and Wildman Harrold

For more information on Dress for Success visit www.dressforsuccess.org/ or click here http://www.wgntv.com/news/eveningnews/wgntv-dress-for-success-story120810,0,4583235.story/ to view a recent online WGN story about the redesign of Dress for Success’ worldwide headquarters here in Chicago.

Monetary donations may be made online at http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&partner=networkforgood&ein=13-4040377. /

______________________________________________________________________________

THE NEED TO READ

The WBAI collected new books for the Myra Bradwell Math, Science & Technology Academy from January 10th to January 31st.

The Myra Bradwell Math, Science & Technology Academy is named after a pioneer for women in the law. In 1869, Bradwell was one of the first two women in the United States to apply for admission to the Illinois bar. However, the Illinois State Supreme Court denied her application because her “married condition” constituted a “disability”. Still, Bradwell persevered and was eventually granted a license in 1890. In the meantime, she paved the way for women’s rights by helping to advance important legislation. She also served as a published, manager, and editor-in-chief for a weekly legal publication, the Chicago Legal News.

The Myra Bradwell Math, Science & Technology Academy is a pre-k through 8th grade school located on Chicago’s south side. The vision of the school is that “all children will learn to read, love to read, and receive the necessary preparation to compete successfully in global endeavors.” To further this vision, and in keeping with the spirit of Myra Bradwell’s good works, the WBAI will be collecting books to donate to the school. For more information about the Academy see their website: www.bradwell.cps.k12.il.us/

We are collecting any new books that are suitable for readers in kindergarten through eighth grade. In particular, the librarian stated that the library is in need of art books; such as graphic novels for below average readers and drawing books, as the school has many budding artists. They have also specifically requested books themed towards encouraging good behavior and discouraging bullying (to help advance their anti-bullying campaign). Please feel free to donate any of your favorite childhood books!

Please bring the books to the WBAI office: 321 S. Plymouth Court, Suite 4S OR Bring the books to the WBAI Rise Up Reach Back Luncheon on January 21, 2011.

______________________________________________________________________________

Our Lady of the Angels' Mobile Food Pantry Project

WBAI members have fully embraced this year’s theme “Giving Back to The Community.” On August 7, 2010, the newly formed WBAI Community Outreach Committee held its first volunteer event. Members of the WBAI along with their friends and families participated in Our Lady of the Angels’ Mobile Food Pantry. Our Lady of the Angels Mission, located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, organizes a monthly mobile food pantry where the Greater Chicago Food Depository delivers a truckload of food to the Mission and the food is distributed to the local community.

WBAI volunteers joined together to distribute food, clothing and household items to approximately 240 families -- 874 people total! The team of volunteers packaged bulk food, including corn, carrots, potatoes, bananas, bread, canned goods and other delicious summer produce, into smaller grocery bags, distributed the food to the community and assisted the community members in carrying food home or to their vehicles. Additionally, our WBAI team helped provide household items and clothing to the families. The community members were truly grateful and our team of volunteers all felt it was a great way to give back to our local community.

For more information about Our Lady of the Angels Mission and the monthly Mobile Food Pantry, please visit their website at http://www.ourladyoftheangelsmission.com/index.html

______________________________________________________________________________

Animal Welfare League Adoptathon Project

On September 12, 2010 the WBAI's Community Outreach Committee held its second volunteer event at PetSmart in connection with the Animal Welfare League's Adoptathon. Volunteers helped match dogs with potential adopters. Over 30 dogs were adopted! To learn more about the Animal Welfare League, please visit their website at http://www.animalwelfareleague.com/index.html

______________________________________________________________________________

Juvenile Protective Association Project

On September 24, 2010, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois lended a hand to The Juvenile Protective Association by painting their clinical site at 1707 North Halsted Street, Chicago (between North Ave. & Willow across from Steppenwolf Theatre). The Juvenile Protective Association’s mission is “to protect and promote healthy development of children whose social and emotion well-being, or physical safety are in jeopardy, either because of neglect or abuse at home or because of inimical interferences in the neighborhood, and when necessary, to provide for the rehabilitation of families for such children.” Please visit their website for more information at http://www.juvenile.org/index.html
All of the volunteers' generous help in painting the clinical site reinforced the respect that The Juvenile Protective Association has for its clients in their difficult time of healing.

______________________________________________________________________________

For more information about how you can get involved in the WBAI Community Outreach Committee, contact:

Jessica O’Neill - joneill@querrey.com
RoxAnne L. Rochester - rrochester06@yahoo.com

Rebecca Johnson Apartments
Women Everywhere
New Moms