JAC: Using Laughter to Motivate Women to Vote

Pictured Above

From left to right: JAC Power of Women co-chairs Sally Higginson and Betsy Brint (Highland Park) and honorees: Linda Ruder (Highland Park), Kathy Emanuel (Highland Park), Adrienne Glazov (Glencoe), Carole Boron (Chicago), and Liza Donnelly, New Yorker cartoonist.

Despite the serious issues facing our nation, more than 300 area women gathered at the Joint Action Committee’s (JAC) annual Power of Women luncheon to laugh and think as New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly shared her unique perspective on the 2016 election season.

“Liza Donnelly has shown the power of humor as a force for change,” said Highland Park resident Marcia Balonick and JAC’s executive director. “Now it is up to everyone to use their vote to make a positive difference in this country. Women will have a great impact in the outcome of this election. Every issue women care about is at stake and on the table and it is important that women are motivated to get involved.”

JAC (501c4) is non partisan advocacy group that promotes the U.S.-Israel relationship, reproductive freedom, and separation of religion and state. The group is also involved in gun violence prevention and climate change. JAC was started more than 30 years ago by a group of women who wanted to have a greater role in the political process.

The 2016 luncheon was chaired by Betsy Brint and Sally Higginson of Highland Park. This year JAC honored its past research directors: Carole Boron (Chicago), Kathy Emanuel (Highland Park), Adrienne Glazov (Glencoe), Joy Malkus (Glencoe) and Linda Ruder (Highland Park).

“These women embody the Power of Women with their knowledge, passion and creativity,” Balonick said. “They each have played a pivotal role in JAC’s success throughout the years.”