Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Past Events
2024 Dawn Clark Netsch Policy Forum
Thanks to everyone who tuned in for our 2024 Dawn Clark Netsch Policy Forum, “Guarding Democracy: Promoting Integrity and Trust in the 2024 Election.” We had the honor of hearing from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Lauren Miller Karalunas from the Brennan Center for Justice. IWIL Training Academy board member Clarisol Duque moderated this important and informative discussion. You can find the full recording linked here.
2024 Annual Trailblazers Award Reception
Thank you to all who joined us and supported our 2024 Trailblazers Award Reception. Alumnae, board members, presenters, Ambassador’s Circle members, and many friends of IWIL Training Academy came together to support our mission and honor a true trailblazer, Senator Tammy Duckworth. Senator Duckworth’s advocacy for veterans, women, and American families has brought lasting and meaningful change in countless lives across the country. We were honored to have her join us and recognize her as our 2024 Trailblazers Award recipient.
EmpowHER: Celebrating Women in Politics at the Chicago Democratic National Convention and Beyond!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our event, EmpowHER: Celebrating Women in Politics at the Chicago Democratic National Convention and Beyond! We had a blast celebrating the extraordinary contributions of women in politics alongside our co-hosts, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. Check out these awesome photos from the event!
2024 Annual Virtual Spring Fundraiser
We are very grateful to all those who attended and supported our annual virtual spring fundraiser! In a powerful and inspiring conversation, two trailblazing leaders, Leader Stacey Abrams and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, shared their thoughts on empowering women and driving social change. Together, we are making strides towards a more inclusive and equitable future.
2023 Dawn Clark Netsch Policy Forum
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2023 Dawn Clark Netsch Policy Forum: “DEI in the Workplace: What Does Success Look Like?” We had the honor of listening and learning from Anne Evens, Chynna Hampton, and Bria Scudder as they discussed the realities of DEI in the workplace and what it takes to really push the envelope forward. You can find the full recording of the discussion HERE.
2023 Annual Trailblazers Award Reception
We are so grateful to all those that attended and supported our 2023 annual Trailblazers Award Reception. We honored a most deserving awardee, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, who is a graduate of IWIL Training Academy’s Class of 2011. Lieutenant Governor is a champion of not just gender equality, but of economic opportunity and justice. We were thrilled to present her with our Trailblazers Award. Friends, board members, and alumnae joined us for the festivities, including the Governor and First Lady.
2023 Annual Spring Fundraiser: A Conversation With AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual spring fundraiser on May 22, 2023! Our special guest, Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, joined us for an impactful discussion on her experience as the first woman president of the AFL-CIO and the importance of women in the labor movement. We were also joined by Chair Lisa Hernandez who moderated this incredible discussion! Lastly, we had the pleasure of hearing remarks from another champion of the labor movement, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski.
2022 Trailblazers Award Reception
Thank you to everyone who joined and supported our 20th anniversary Trailblazers Award Reception. It was such a joy to be in the room with so many alumnae and friends of IWIL Training Academy to celebrate 20 years and to thank Loretta and Senator Durbin for all they’ve done to elevate women leaders in Illinois. We heard from many key players in IWIL Training Academy’s founding and legacy during the event, including Hon. Barbara Flynn Currie, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Class of 2002 and 2022 representatives Kimberly Walz and Kimberley Egonmwan, and the Durbins. IWIL Training Academy’s legacy truly shines through all of our accomplished alumnae serving in leadership positions across Illinois. Meet some of them in our alumnae video HERE.
2022 Dawn Clark Netsch Policy Forum
Thank you to all who joined us for our annual Dawn Clark Netsch Policy Forum where we discussed “From Abortion to Democracy: What’s at Stake in 2022”. The conversation featured experts David Axelrod and Celinda Lake, who shared their assessments heading into the midterm elections, including the implications of the Dobbs decision and primary election trends. If you missed it, you can watch the full conversation HERE.
2022 Annual Spring Fundraiser: The Future of Reproductive Rights
Thank you to the passionate community that came together to support our spring fundraiser and tune into the important, timely discussion on abortion with Planned Parenthood Action Fund Executive Director Kelley Robinson and Columbia law professor Carol Sanger. A special thanks to Senator Dick Durbin, Hon. Barbara Flynn Currie, and Hon. Toi Hutchinson for joining in the conversation. We are so grateful for all of your help in propelling the next generation of pro-choice women to elected office in Illinois to fight for our reproductive rights.
