PWN Summer Soiree Recognizing Women with the Ignitor Award

If celebrating amazing women, enjoying great food, and making strong connections sounds interesting, you won’t want to miss the Professional Women’s Network’s 2019 Summer Soiree. This annual event will be held Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Glenwoodie Golf Club, 19301 State Street, Glenwood, Ill. This year the Professional Women’s Network (PWN) is honoring “Ignitors” with the Ignitor Award. These women are being recognized for using their talents and gifts to inspire others. The honorees are Maribeth Hearn, April Odom, Dr. Lynette Stokes, and Jennifer E. Stoner. In addition, the iCan Dream Center, represented by Dr. Evisha Ford-Sills, will be recognized.

Maribeth Hearn, MBA, is vice president of the Inertia Group and director of the Career Success Center at the University of St. Francis. Hearn also has served two terms as PWN president, and during her second term, she grew the membership by 50 percent. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree, while continuing to work full time and raise two teenage boys.

April Odom, APRN, is a nurse practitioner for Walgreens and owner of the Physicals Plus Wellness Center in Crete, Ill. She started her career as a nursing assistant at Advocate Illinois Masonic and continued working while attending nursing school. Once she earned her BSN, she worked at the Rehab Institute of Chicago at Illinois Masonic Hospital.

Lynette D. Stokes, Ed.D., is president of South Suburban College, the first female and the first African American to serve in that role. During her life she has overcome many challenges, including being in the foster care system. She has been in public service for 24 years, and during her career has advocated for youth in the child welfare system, taught elementary school and at a community college, and worked for equal rights organizations. She has made it a priority to mentor other African American women in leadership roles.

Jennifer E. Stoner, M.A., owner of J. Stoner Marketing in Tinley Park, Ill, served two terms as a PWN board member, handling the public relations for PWN during her tenure. She also was instrumental in organizing the PWN Smart Chicks author panel event. Prior to opening J. Stoner Marketing, she was the executive director of public relations and marketing at Prairie State College. Following her passion for marketing, she opened her business three years ago using her skills to help small businesses grow.

The iCan Dream Center also will be recognized. Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Evisha Ford-Sills, LCSW, will be receiving the award on behalf of the center. The iCan Dream Center is a non-profit organization located in Hazel Crest, Ill., providing quality programming for youth age 12-21. They

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specialize in working with students with intellectual disabilities, autism, and various learning disabilities.

The cost to attend is $30 for PWN members. Non-members may attend for $45. To register for the event, visit http://pwncentral.com/events/summer-soiree-at-glenwoodie-golf-club/

You must pre-register for the event.

The mission of the Professional Women’s Network is to help women develop their careers, enhance their businesses, and mentor the next generation of women business leaders through educational programs, resource sharing, and networking opportunities. For more information, visit pwncentral.com.