Susan Gage named 2019 Elgin Altrusa Woman of the Year
Altrusa International of Elgin, Illinois, Inc. is pleased to announce that Gwen Gage, Ed.D. of Elgin will be honored at the 70th annual Woman of the Year Recognition Dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Villa Olivia Country Club, off Lake Street in Bartlett.
Dinner tickets are available at $35 each. Deadline for reservations is Saturday, May 11. For information and reservations, call Joanna Wester at (847) 528-3157.
The local Altrusa Woman of the Year Award began in 1950 when Harriet Armstrong was recognized as the first recipient. Since then, a long line of dedicated local women have been honored for their volunteer service to the greater Elgin area community.
"For more than 20 years, Gwen Gage has tirelessly worked to support the mission of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra," said Dr. Clare Ollayos, Altrusa Elgin Woman of the Year chair.
"As a member of the Elgin Symphony League and ESO boards, she has dedicated thousands of hours serving in various capacities and gets things done in a quiet and unassuming manner. She currently serves on both boards and many other organizations in various other ways."
Gage spent 27 years in the field of education serving 19 years in elementary and middle school administrative positions. In addition to her dedication and leadership with the ESO and ESL, Gage has volunteered with Soiree Lyrique (recently renamed Fox Valley Lyrical Productions) as grant editor, usher, auction committee member as well as sponsor of Rising Star winners.
Her affiliation with Black History Family Festival began when Gage served on the committee for the 2015 festival and then began organizing the volunteers. She was co-chair with Jennifer Sellers Wong for the annual festival in 2018. Currently, she is secretary of the board.
Hamilton Wings is a lead partner in Create Innovate Ignite, which is designed to expand the definition of creativity and its expression in the Elgin community. Gage served as a facilitator at the initial planning session for CCI held at Elgin Community College in 2016 and continued on the planning committee for 2017 workshops at Gail Borden Public Library.
Since 2005, she has been a volunteer with the Elgin Mental Health Center's Pastoral Services. This work involves offering monthly church services as well as visiting and corresponding with individuals.
Gage says she loves living in Elgin where she can support the arts. She and her husband, John, have sponsored performances by the ESO, Children's Theatre of Elgin and Chamber Music on the Fox.
Before moving to Elgin, she lived three years in Guatemala. Her bilingual skills were an asset when she served as interim director of Centro de Informacion. Being part of a vibrant and diverse community of creative thinkers and doers is what she most likes about the Fox Valley area.
Altrusa International of Elgin, Illinois, Inc. is an international service organization comprised of executive and professional women. In its history, it continues to sponsor a variety of projects in the community through volunteerism and monetary support. Members reside throughout the Northern Fox Valley area, including Elgin, South Elgin, Bartlett, Dundee, Carpentersville, Algonquin, Hampshire, Huntley, St. Charles, Wheaton, Gurnee, and Pingree Grove.
Follow the Altrusa International Club of Elgin at Altrusa-Elgin, IL on Facebook.