October 8, 2009

Contact:

Julie McBratney

Communications Manager

YWCA Evanston/North Shore

847-864-8445

YWCA honors Dorothy Roberts, Pushpika Freitas, Ebony Joy and Junior League

Evanston, Illinois – “You have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” These words from Harriet Tubman set the tone for the YWCA’s second annual YWomen Leadership Awards, as the capacity crowd of 300 at the Woman’s Club of Evanston on October 8^th gathered to honor Dorothy Roberts, Pushpika Freitas, Ebony Joy and the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore.

The honorees were chosen by the YWCA Evanston/North Shore for their outstanding commitment to women’s empowerment, racial justice and social change. Dorothy Roberts, Professor at Northwestern University School of Law, is an author, lecturer, lawyer and activist widely credited for her work in the areas of race, feminism and family. Pushpika Freitas, Founder and President of MarketPlace: Handwork of India, has dedicated her life’s work to providing economic opportunities for women through the creation of a network of artisans and cooperatives throughout India. Ebony Joy is a performer, writer, producer and artistic director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, whose mission is to bring affordable theater to the African-American community in Evanston. The Junior League of Evanston-North Shore was one of the primary founders of Mary Lou’s Place, the YWCA’s domestic violence shelter, 25 years ago and has continued to be an integral part of the YWCA’s work.

Presented by Allstate and co-chaired by Susan Hope Engel and Niki Moe Horrell of Evanston, the benefit raised over $46,000 to support YWCA programs that empower women, including domestic violence services, all of which are provided free of charge to the community.