Lakewood Women's Club Announces Keynote Speaker & Award Nominees

Lakewood Women’s Club is proud to announce Nancy Gianni, Chief Belief Officer at GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Women Honoring Women on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Nancy is a model keynote speaker. Not only is she the face of GiGi’s Playhouse, she is also a mother of four from South Barrington, Illinois. Nancy serves both as the visionary leader behind the organization's launch and dramatic growth, and in her most important role, also as GiGi's mom.

In 2002, she received GiGi’s Down syndrome diagnosis. Her fears coupled with the negative reactions of the medical staff could have stifled Nancy and GiGi. Instead, inspired by the miracle of GiGi, she started a remarkable journey sparked by hope and unconditional love. What began as a mother's vision to change perception and maximize her daughter's success has evolved into a global movement of acceptance for ALL!

There are currently 36 GiGi’s Playhouse locations across the U.S. and Mexico, and a demand to open 200 more worldwide. GiGi’s Playhouse is the ONLY international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers created to provide FREE life-changing therapeutic and educational programs to help hundreds of thousands of people of all ages every day.

The Women Honoring Women ceremony will recognize three outstanding women from the Lakewood community. An Emerging Leader award and a Distinguished Leader award, as well as a college scholarship, will be presented to Lakewood women who have demonstrated a variety of outstanding accomplishments and contributions to our community.

The Lakewood Women’s Club hopes to inspire the next generation of women in Lakewood; our goal for the night is to celebrate each and every nominee and attendee, and celebrate what they have achieved- as well as to have some FUN!

The award winners are being chosen from a number of nominations submitted by the community prior to the event. This year’s Emerging Leader nominees are: Jennifer Lenhart, Erin Vokes, Joannah Lynch, Courtney Noster, Kayla Griffin, Roxann Ramsey-Caserio, Maureen Sweeney, Jessica Sayre, and Laura Germaine.

This years Distinguished Leader nominees are: Kimberly Pustulka, Lucinda Einhouse, Constance Mansell, Rebecca Reynolds, Vicki Smigelski, Shannon Strachan, and Renee Jones.

Our selection committee is comprised of current members of Lakewood Women’s Club, past presidents and community Leaders.

Tickets for the event are on sale now on Eventbrite. The minimum donation of $40.00 includes admission to the event, hearty appetizers, an open bar for two hours, and the opportunity to win raffle items and gifts.

The donations from the event will support the 2018 scholarship winner and GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center, the Club’s 2018-2020 non-profit recipient.

We are still accepting donations. Please check out our website for sponsorship and donation information, click here.


Lissette Rivera & Torey Via Worron
2018 Women Honoring Women Co-Chairs