YWCA to honor community leaders at luncheon

The Greater Elgin Area YWCA is seeking community leaders to be honored at its 25th annual Leader Luncheon on May 8.

Nomination request forms have been mailed to area organizations and businesses, with the nomination deadline set for Thursday.

Anyone may nominate an individual or business for an award. Nomination forms can be obtained from the YWCA, 220 E. Chicago St., Elgin, IL 60120. Or download the form at www.ywcaelgin.org.

The completed forms must be returned to the YWCA by Thursday.

A panel of judges for the individual, racial justice and corporate categories will complete the judging for the Leader Luncheon event, where winners are announced and honored.

The Leader Luncheon, a national event, is held annually to give public recognition to local women who may receive one of these individual awards: Margaret Hillis Award for the Arts, Beatrice Dorsey Award for Business and Professions, Marguerite Henry Award for Communications, Harriet Gifford Award for Education, Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Award for Public Service, Marie Grolich Award for Social Service and Marjorie Leonard Award for Community/Volunteer Service.

An award in the area of Racial Justice will be given to a woman that has demonstrated achievement and leadership in this field. In addition, the Corporate Award honors one area business that has promoted innovative programs for women employees within their own working environment.

Nominations for Individual, Racial Justice and Corporate Awards will primarily come from the communities served by the YWCA -- Elgin, South Elgin, Algonquin, Bartlett, Barrington, Carpentersville, Crystal Lake, East and West Dundee, Geneva, Hanover Park, Hampshire, Hoffman Estates, Lake in the Hills, St. Charles, Schaumburg, Sleepy Hollow and Streamwood. Previous non-winning nominations can be reinstated by calling the YWCA.

The Leader Luncheon will be held at The Seville in Streamwood on May 8.

The following is information on each of the awards:

• Margaret Hillis Award for the Arts: Hillis was music director of the Elgin Symphony Chorus for 14 years and she conducted the Chicago Symphony Chorus for 35 years. She won numerous Grammy Awards for her recordings with the CSO.

• Beatrice Dorsey Award for Business and Professions: A successful local businesswoman for 45 years, Beatrice Dorsey was instrumental in assisting women in business.

• Marguerite Henry Award for Communications: Author of more than 50 books, including children's classics, Marguerite Henry held many prestigious national literacy awards.

• Harriet Gifford Award for Education: Harriet Gifford established the first school in Elgin in 1836 and made the foundation for local educational systems.

• Myrtle Spiegler Gerberding Award for Public Service: The first woman to assume the post of city clerk of Elgin and designer of the city flag, she paved the way for women to actively participate in the field of public service.

• Marie Grolich Award for Social Service: As executive director for the YWCA of Elgin for 20 years, Grolich spearheaded many innovative social programs to benefit the entire community.

• Marjorie Leonard Award for Community Service: As a volunteer and humanitarian, Leonard gave countless hours to civic organizations and social agencies.

• The Racial Justice Award is given to recognize a woman who has demonstrated achievement and leadership in the field of racial justice.

• The Corporate Award recognizes an area company that significantly enhances the role of women in the working environment.