SHARE Fox Valley to host ninth annual Women's Power Lunch
Tickets are on sale for the ninth annual Women's Power Lunch, hosted by SHARE Fox Valley.
It will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Two Brothers Roundhouse in downtown Aurora. All proceeds from the luncheon benefit Mutual Ground, a local domestic violence and sexual assault service agency.
This year, the committee is proud to announce its 2017 Woman of Power award recipient is Norma Peterson.
Norma volunteers with the Roosevelt American Legion Post 84, which recently re-established the auxiliary. She is a member of the Aurora Fourth of July Parade committee and a proud member of SHARE Fox Valley. Norma advocates for awareness of the existence of the EAA (Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit), which is a viable tool for victims of domestic violence, law enforcement and the judicial system.
The keynote speaker is Patti Vasquez, the host of "The Patti Vasquez Show" on Chicago's WGN Radio, a stand-up comedian, and co-creator of the upcoming series "Patti Happens." Vasquez was born and raised in Chicago and is an internationally performing comedian. As a host, she quickly claimed the number one spot for late night radio. She has appeared as a commentator on WGN- TV Morning News and Fox Good Day Chicago and was recently honored by the National Museum of Mexican Art and the University of Illinois for her contributions to art and advocacy work.
Patti has two preteen boys: Griffin, who is gifted, kindhearted and the best big brother to Declan. Declan is differently gifted, charming, and was born with a neurological abnormality called corpus callosum disorder. In 2014, Patti created a company called "With Kind Words" in which she provides consultation for health care providers. She urges them to consider the emotional readiness of every member of the team, from the health professional to the caretakers, as they strive to ensure the best possible outcome. She incorporates humor and personal experiences as the mother of a child with special needs to lead her audience on an intellectual and emotional journey.
While still hosting her eclectic and wildly successful radio show, Patti began working with ABC to develop a sitcom based on her life. She graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana with a degree in history. She later disappointed her parents by dropping out of Northwestern's Ph.D. program to become a stand-up comic. It all worked out in the end. Or at least, so far so good.
Tickets for the luncheon are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. To purchase a ticket, or for more information, visit www.sharefoxvalley.com or www.mutualground.org.
SHARE Fox Valley is a committee formed of women who are committed to "supporting individuals, giving hope, and respecting everyone."
Mutual Ground Inc. was founded in 1975 with the goal of providing services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and their families. Mutual Ground is one of the largest and oldest domestic violence shelters in the state. All services are victim-centered and focus on advocacy that empowers each individual to make her/his own decisions.