Women Leaders Come Together for Fifth Annual 16th District Women’s Power Brunch

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.

“It was my pleasure to select Donna Watson as the 16th District’s Unsung Heroine Award winner,” said Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar.

“The 16th district is very fortunate to have women in so many leadership roles, driving our district forward and ensuring that the people they serve have the support and resources they need to live full lives. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate Donna and all the other amazing women of our district.”

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,

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.

Donna E. Watson is a dedicated pharmacist, community leader, and lifelong advocate for youth and family. While working full-time, Donna remained deeply involved in her children’s lives and activities, exemplifying balance, commitment, and leadership. Her service included roles such as Cub Scouts den leader, baseball concession stand coordinator, PTO President, and Bible class teacher. She is an active member of the Village’s Youth Commission, volunteers at every opportunity, and continues to teach Bible class to young students in Brookfield, Illinois.

“I am truly humbled by being selected for this award. It’s difficult to believe that I am being recognized for doing what I do every day. I am also honored to be included in the same conversation with such a champion of women’s issues as Peggy A. Montes,” said Donna Watson.

“I’m grateful for the values instilled in me by my mother that helped create within me the spirit of leading and treating people the way you want to be treated, and trying to mirror the old saying, ‘each one, teach one’. I believe these things have inspired me to continue to encourage and be of service to others.”

Given to one woman in each of Cook County’s 17 Districts, plus one countywide winner, the Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award seeks to honor outstanding women throughout Cook County who have made positive contributions in their communities. Any woman, as long as they are not an elected official, can be nominated.

This award is designed to recover and tell the story of the powerful impact women have had throughout history on the development of our social, cultural, economic, and political institutions.

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, child care, 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.

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Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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