An Interview with the Winners

Empowering and celebrating women is what the ywca is all about, and this year’s Leader Luncheon, which took place May 3 at the Hotel Pere Marquette, paid tribute to strong women who’ve accomplished great things both locally and nationally. This year’s keynote speaker was Lois Jenson, whose life story is the inspiration behind the film North Country, starring Charlize Theron. Jenson filed the first sexual harassment class action lawsuit in the United States in the 1970s, and her victory over her employer confronted the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace.

But the central purpose of the annual Leader Luncheon Awards is to honor seven women who’ve made outstanding contributions to the Peoria area community through diverse means.

The awards include:
• Julia Proctor White Arts and Education Award—given to a woman who displays leadership in education or the arts.
• Edythe A. Cohen Business and Industry Award—given to a woman who exhibits leadership in a local business, not-for-profit organization, or governmental body.
• Lydia Moss Bradley Communications Award—given to a woman who’s a leader in communications fields such as journalism, marketing, or public relations.
• Eliza Pindell Community Service Award—given to a woman who displays leadership in civic, charitable, religious, and other community activities.
• Valeska S. Hinton Human Rights Award—given to a woman who helps improve the quality of life in our community by advocating equal rights for all people.
• Mother M. Frances Krasse Professions Award—given to a woman who excels as a lawyer, doctor, nurse, or other professional.
• YWCA Young Woman’s Community Service Award—given to a high school-aged woman who excels in the areas of leadership and community service.

In addition to these award winners, sculptor Nita Sutherland was recognized as the Legend Award Winner for 2006, an award that recognizes a past Leader Luncheon winner who continues to demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in her field and in service to the community.

Julia Proctor White Arts and Education Award
Dr. Lois Hamilton is dean of the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, where she’s chair of the College Senate and Leadership Team and is a member of the Management Team at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

In 1998, she began the process of investigation for a Masters in Nursing program at the College, and, in large part due to her diligent efforts, the first students were enrolled in 2001. “The Masters program was important because of the nursing shortage. And to prepare more nurses, we need the faculty. Our program offers nurses the chance to get their Masters, to be a clinician on the patient health or administrative side, as well as to be faculty members. We knew the shortage was coming and would last a long time, and we wanted to be on board to contribute nurses and faculty members,” she said.

In addition, she’s secured board approval to investigate the movement of the college toward offering a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. “Right now we’re in the exploration stage; we’re in the process of educating people about it because this is a change for nursing. Nursing has always had a Ph.D, but this is a practice degree. So we’re letting people know what a doctorate degree is and what they can do with it.”

Hamilton said her career in nursing and administration has been very rewarding. “It’s allowed me to help many people along the way. I taught nursing for over 40 years, and it’s marvelous to see people who’ve been in my classes that are now doing such wonderful things. Touching the lives of other people has been great, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Edythe A. Cohen Business and Industry Award
Mary Haynes is serving her sixth term as Peoria City Clerk, the first elected female to serve in the role in Peoria history. She initially pursued the position because the timing was right, and she thought she could make a difference, she said. “I believed in working administrators in government and not figurehead politics. I knew I was the only one at that time who would fill that roll, so I went for it.”

Haynes is also the first clerk to achieve Registered Clerk, Certified Municipal Clerk, and Master Municipal Clerk status. She co-founded the Central Illinois Municipal Clerk Organization in 1988 and earned three President’s Awards from the organization.

Additionally, she’s conducted two international exchanges and has participated in a work study exchange in England. “Clerks have a unique position; there’s no one else in town who does exactly what you do,” she explained. “So I found it interesting to mingle with people internationally. We talk about records management, but those people are trying to keep records back to 1400 and before, so we learn so much from their structure of government. And after all, we’re a melting pot, so Americans can learn so much from other people about how they govern themselves and how they’re governed.”

Haynes said she remains committed to the position of city clerk because she believes that good government—responsive government—is very important. “I feel like the clerk’s office gives me the opportunity to be a link for people. We can link them up with their legislative representatives and get something done together.”