Upcoming Events

Join us for an afternoon with Don Wycliff, public editor for the Chicago Tribune.

Wycliff will discuss his position as the Tribune's public editor, as well as the modern challenges journalists face, not the least of which is keeping and maintaining the public's trust.

Wycliff

As public editor for the Tribune, Wycliff listens to readers' questions and concerns about the newspaper's coverage and writes a weekly column about journalism issues. His most recent columns have addressed such topics as the content of comics that run in the Tribune, the merits of a federal shield law for journalists, and the press corps' willingness to grant anonymity to senior White House officials.

Wycliff has been the Tribune's public editor since July 2000. Prior to that he was the newspaper's editorial page editor for nine years. During that time, the Tribune won a Pulitzer Prize, was a finalist for another and received several other major awards.

To learn more about Wycliff and to read his columns, go to http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/.

Cost of the program is $8 per person, which includes a buffet-style lunch and beverages.

This event is open to everyone, including non-AWJ members. However, seating is limited to 50, so reserve your spot early by contacting Jayette Bolinski at jayette@jayette.com or Erin Orr at erin.orr@sj-r.com. Checks should be made out to the Association for Women Journalists.

Summer picnic

Summer picnic at the home of AWJ member Adriana Colindres. Date yet to be announced. Check back for more information.

Fall speaker

To be announced

Winter brunch

Annual winter brunch at the home of AWJ member Mary Bohlen. Date has yet to be announced.

Past Events

Hands that Hurt

AWJ members gathered Oct. 25, 2002, for a "Hands that Hurt" panel discussion on the causes, effects and ways to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Panelists included acupuncturist Dr. Susan Minder, hand surgeon Dr.Brad Wilhelmi of SIU School of Medicine, office design expert Dennis Stahlberg of Resource One, moderator and AWJ program vice president Vicky Whitaker, AWJ president Diane Ross, Tracey Maras of Mid-West Rehabilitation and writer and Certified Yoga Instructor Naomi Greene. The session took place in the auditorium of The State Journal-Register.

Mary Lee Leahy

Lawyer Mary Lee Leahy spoke to members of AWJ Springfield on Sept. 24, 1999. She's a nationally renowned lawyer who talked to our group about how her work on the case Rutan vs. Republican Party of Illinois changed the way state government hires employees. Leahy argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that patronage hiring was discriminatory. She won. In 1990, the Supreme Court banned most political hiring.

Leahy

She answered our questions about balancing a high-profile career with family life and described how she's seen the role of women change over the years. She told us she was one of very few women enrolled in law school when she was younger and was asked by the school to take a break when she became pregnant because "it would be better for her."

Leahy has also held various jobs in state government, including the top jobs at the Illinois EPA and the Department of Children and Family Services.

Judy Baar Topinka

Topinka

Judy Baar Topinka talked with members of AWJ Springfield over lunch in April 1999. She has been both a news gatherer and a newsmaker. Topinka is a former reporter with a degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. She's also a former Illinois House and Senate member. Topinka talked informally with our chapter about her days as a reporter and also spoke about politics, lawmaking, elections and dealing with the media. Topinka is a two-term treasurer and probably state government's best-known accordion player.

Walt Harrington

Harrington

Writer Walt Harrington spoke to AWJ Springfield in October 1998 about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. He is one of the nation's pre-eminent profile writers. Harrington is an award-winning journalist who used to write for the Washington Post Magazine. Now he is a professor of journalism at the University of Illinois at Champaign. The ex-Springfield resident has written four books: "Crossings: A White Man's Journey into Black America," "American Profiles: Somebodies and Nobodies Who Matter," "At the Heart of It: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives" and his latest, "Intimate Journalism: the Art and Craft of Reporting Everyday Life."

Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood

AWJ Springfield members meet with Lt. Governor Corinne Wood over lunch.