Cook County Commission on Women's Issues

Tomorrow is the last day to submit someone for the 2025 Peggy Montes Unsung Heroine Awards!

Nominations close at the end of the month—be sure to submit your Unsung Heroine!

The nominations for the 2025 Peggy Montes Unsung Heroine Awards are open NOW!

Nominees should be women who have made significant contributions to the well-being of their community for which they have not received widespread recognition. They should be professionals or volunteers, not elected officials.

To learn more about the award and its qualifications, visit https://buff.ly/3OU44AJ

Arlene Adams’ passion and dedication to the betterment of the community in Palos Park has spanned decades.Throughout the years, Arlene has volunteered with public schools, Joseph P. Kennedy School, McCord Gallery and Cultural Center, Garden Club, Woman’s Club and Our Lady of the Woods. Her commitment to excellence is evident in everything she does.Congratulations on being the Unsung Heroine of the 17th District! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

Debra Fiorito is a lifelong public servant and community leader from Franklin Park. In 1994, she was elected as the village clerk of Franklin Park as the first woman to serve in the position and went on to serve two consecutive terms. She served as the president of the Women's Republican Organization of Leyden Township for 12 years, and has dedicated her life to educational and family initiatives, all while raising three children. Congratulations on being the Unsung Heroine of the 16th District! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

Kathy Evita Bojczuk uses her legal knowledge and skills to provide positive change for her clients. In her current position as the supervisory attorney at Life Span, Kathy helps survivors of domestic violence in obtaining and litigating orders of protection and family law cases. Congratulations on being the Unsung Heroine of the 15th District! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

For more than 20 years, Beth Nabors Powers has served as the executive director of the JOURNEYS, helping develop it into a highly regarded and highly successful institution serving individuals and families facing homelessness throughout the northwest suburbs. Congratulations on being the Unsung Heroine of the 14th District, and thank you for all you do, Beth! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

Sheerine Alemzadeh has worked to transform responses to gender-based violence in low-income communities of color as an activist, litigator, educator and organizer. She is the co-founder and co-director of Healing to Action, igniting innovative, community-sustained strategies to address gender-based violence. Congratulations on being the Unsung Heroine of the 13th District, and thank you for all you do, Sheerine! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

Blair has dedicated countless hours forming a robust mutual aid network to help fulfill basic needs of new residents and unhoused Chicagoans, as well as supporting their transition to shelters and long-term housing. She and the mutual aid network continue to provide ongoing support to new neighbors in shelters and housing. Congratulations for being the Unsung Heroine of the 12th District, and thank you for all you do, Blair! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

Unsung Heroine of Cook County's 11th District, Alice Chiu, is a dedicated healthcare advocate, volunteering her time to improve healthcare literacy for underserved seniors on Chicago's south and west sides. Congratulations and thank you for all you do, Alice! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

Unsung Heroine of Cook County's 10th District, Fannie Sanchez, has sourced donations of clothes, shoes, blankets and over-the-counter medicine and worked alongside multiple volunteers to support migrants, families in need and the unhoused. Congratulations and thank you for all you do, Fannie! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.

Yeulanda Degala is the founder and chief executive officer of Good Neighbors Network. She launched a grassroots effort from her home during the early stages of the pandemic to collect snacks and raise awareness about hidden hunger affecting local children. Over time, Good Neighbors Network has expanded, spearheading various initiatives, such as providing essential school supplies, distributing coats and offering holiday gifts. Congratulations on being the Unsung Heroine of the 9th District! To learn more, visit bit.ly/3ZQ7Qzb.