On Friday, March 6th, the Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch was held to celebrate women leaders throughout the 16th District. The event was hosted by Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar, 16th District Commissioner on Women’s Issues Claudia Ayala, Hillside Mayor Joseph Tamburino, and Hillside Clerk Linda Gould. Receiving the 16th District’s 2026 Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award was Donna Watson.  This “Power Brunch”, located at the Best Western in Hillside, brought over 200 women together. Also joining the event were Cook County Circuit Court Judge ShawnTe Raines-Welch, Alivio Medical Center Executive Director Esther Corpuz, and Hillside Trustee Claudell Johnson, who were part of a guest panel of speakers. The Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues develops policy and program recommendations and collaborates with a wide range of governmental and private sector organizations on projects addressing a variety of issues affecting the status of women and girls, including domestic violence, childcare, economic equity, and health. The Commission works to elevate the status of women and girls of Cook County, improve the delivery of services to women and their families, and eliminate inequalities in laws, practices and conditions that impact Cook County women and girls.

Photo Credit: Office of Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar