(Chicago, IL, April 22, 2013) On Wednesday, May 15, the Lambda Legal Chicago Leadership Council presents "Leading Chicago — Women Making the Case for Equality," a conversational salon benefitting Lambda Legal. The evening, held in the West Loop's Douglas Dawson Gallery, will include a keynote address by highly acclaimed civil rights attorney Fay Clayton, performances by Rebecca Kling and KOKUMO, and will also highlight five other women leaders in Chicago.
The Lambda Legal Chicago Leadership Council (CLC) is a volunteer committee that supports the work of Lambda Legal by raising awareness and membership for Lambda Legal through inclusive community events and relationship building. "Leading Chicago" will provide an opportunity to talk with important Chicago-based women in leadership positions in a relaxed, conversational salon.
Fay Clayton, founding partner at Robinson Curly & Clayton, has a long history advocating for women's rights, transgender rights and varied social justice efforts. She first gained national attention in 1986 successfully litigating in front of the United States Supreme Court in the case National Organization for Women v. Scheidler, stopping anti-abortion protestors from blocking abortion clinics and threatening patients. Since then, she has received countless awards, including The Ruth Goldman Award from The American Constitution Society, (2009) the Edwin A. Rothschild Civil Liberties Award from the ACLU of Illinois, (2002), and the Woman of Courage Award by the National Organization for Women (1994).
Also attending as highlighted guests and leaders in Chicago are longtime activist and Chicagoan Mona Noriega, Lark Mulligan, Case Manager at Howard Brown Health Center; Kim Hunt, Executive Director of Affinity Community Services; Lark Mulligan, Case Manager at Howard Brown; Laura Szumowski, illustrator and publisher; and Camilla Taylor, Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal.
Rebecca Kling is a transgender artist and educator who explores gender and identity through solo pieces and educational workshops and was recently named in the first "Trans 100," a list honoring living trans individuals across the United States. More information is available at rebeccakling.com
KOKUMO is an African-American transgender woman, musician and founder of KOKUMO Media, Inc., and recently released her debut EP, "There Will Come A Day." More information at kokumomedia.com
WHAT: Leading Chicago: Women Making the Case for Equality
WHO: Keynote speaker Fay Clayton, highlighted guests Mona Noriega, Lark Mulligan, Kim Hunt, Camilla Taylor, Brooke Skinner, Rebecca Kling, and KOKUMO
WHERE: Douglas Dawson Gallery, 400 N Morgan St Chicago, IL
WHEN: Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door, available at www.lambdalegal.org /leadingchicago
The ticket price benefits Lambda Legal and includes beer, wine and catering by Chicago Gourmet to You.