Events

International Women Associates (IWA) sponsors the following special events throughout the year, which are open to the public:

Woman Extraordinaire Begun in 1996, this annual award is presented to a distinguished Chicago-area woman, who has made an outstanding contribution in her field and in the international arena. The 2009 honoree was Tammy Duckworth, who recently nominated by President Obama to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Duckworth is the prior director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and an Iraq War veteran whose severe combat wounds cost her both of her legs and damaged her right arm.

Rising Voice of Woman Begun in 2005, this award:

  • Seeks to increase awareness of the work done by women around the world to benefit society  and inspire constructive action
  • The award was established to honor the memory of eight IWA members killed in a bus accident as they were returning from an IWA cultural excursion on October 1, 2003.
  • The 2008 recipient was Molly Melching, founder and Executive Director of Senegal-based Tostan, a non-governmental organization dedicated to community education and empowerment in several African countries.  It is perhaps best known for virtually ending female genital cutting and forced child marriage in the area.
  • Recognizes the desirability and necessity of including women as partners in decision-making endeavors of humankind
  • Helps to increase knowledge of specific opportunities and programs  for support and participation of women within and outside IWA

Annual Gala and Auction This fund-raising event features international entertainment, dining, dancing, and silent and live auctions of items for the home, travel, education, and cultural events.


Online Reservations for IWA Events

To register for many of our upcoming, exciting events, click HERE to go to the main IWA Event Registration Page.

 


IWA is proud to announce the 2010 Woman Extraordinaire,

Marjorie Craig Benton

The Woman Extraordinaire Award Committee selected Ms. Benton for her special international work with women and children.  A biography of her extensive accomplishments will be included
in the invitation to be sent out in late January.  

The committee was motivated in its selection process by the book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, written by Pulitzer Prize winners Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.  Their premise is that “it is the brutality inflicted on so many women and girls around the globe” that is the moral challenge of the 21st century.  The committee felt our award recipient should be addressing these vital issues in her work.  Ms. Benton, a Chicagoan as the award requires, has spent her life helping others, and in particular, women and children around the world.  

Click here for more information and to register for the IWA 2010 Woman Extraordinaire program honoring Marjorie Craig Benton.


Nancy Knapp,

Woman Extraordinaire Chair 2010