Chicago – October 4, 2018Margaret’s Village, a south side non-profit that provides transitional housing for women, children and families, will be presenting its highest honor, the Sister Margaret Traxler Award, to two inspiring leaders in Chicago: Dr. Sonia Oyola and Eileen Knightly. A Lifetime Achievement award will also be presented to Betty Baldwin Phillips for her 25 years of dedicated service to the agency.

The award is named for Sister Margaret Traxler, the founder of Margaret’s Village and reminds us of Sister Margaret’s undaunted spirit and tireless work to create a home for women, children and families that offers opportunities to transform their lives and turn hope into a bright reality.

The awards will be presented during a reception at the Galleria Marchetti, Thursday, October 11, 2018 from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM, 825 W. Erie, Chicago IL.

This year’s Gala theme is “Be a Dreamcatcher,” inviting us to catch the dreams of those in need of the shelter and support that Margaret’s Village offers, and to give generously at this time of year.

2017 honorees, Jason Brett, award-winning entertainment producer and tech entrepreneur and Dr. Lauren Streicher, Medical Director of the Northwestern Medical Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause and Clinical professor of OB and Gynecology at Northwestern University, will co-host the evening’s event.

Our 2018 Sister Margaret Traxler Award honorees share a deep commitment to serving the healthcare needs of marginalized women of the city. They are:

·        Dr. Sonia Oyola: Director of the Family Medicine Clerkship at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago and founder of Be Alright, a Chicago-based 501c3 nonprofit that supports survivors of domestic violence and the shelters in which they seek emergency services and housing.

·        Eileen Knightly: Director of Hematology Oncology Clinic at University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, and founding member and vice president of the Executive Board of Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force (the Task Force). Eileen is passionate about providing equitable care to all and has worked to improve cancer care for women in Chicago.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Elizabeth (Betty) Baldwin Phillips, who has spent over 25 years in dedicated service to Margaret’s Village, as past Chair of the Board and longtime board member, gardener, advocate and supporter. This Lifetime Achievement Award reflects our gratitude for Betty’s decades of leadership and commitment to Margaret’s Village.

The 2018 Awards Gala and Fundraising event will include the awards ceremony, entertainment, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and best of all, the company of people who love Chicago and want to see the south side residents of Margaret’s Village empowered to reach their highest potential.

Join us this Thursday, October 11, 2018, 6:00 PM at the Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie, Chicago IL. Link here to purchase tickets. We’d like to reserve a seat for you; please purchase your ticket soon.

Media representatives who are interested in interviewing our honorees can contact:

Media Contact: Geri Kerger

Mobile: (630) 291-4321

e-mail: geri.kerger@margaretsvillage.org

Margaret’s Villageis a non-profit organization that operates two 50-bed transitional residences: Maria Shelter, for women and children in Englewood, and Believe, in South Chicago, which offers housing and support for families. An integral part of the Englewood community, Margaret’s Village also operates the Vincennes Senior, where nearly 100 area residents participate in programs and services.