[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REACHING UP AND OUT . . . EMPOWERING OTHER WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, on October 15, an extraordinary fashion 
show will take place in Chicago. This fashion show, sponsored by the 
law firm of Arnstein & Lehr, is designed by women who are committed to 
improving opportunities for other women.
  The theme of this fashion show is ``Reaching Up and Out . . . 
Empowering Other Women.'' I want to commend Arnstein & Lehr for their 
tremendous work in putting this event together. They have demonstrated 
a commitment to improving the lives of women in the Chicagoland 
community that is extraordinary, and I believe that this is the first 
example of a law firm hosting such an event. I hope that other firms 
will follow their example.
  The proceeds of the October 15 fashion show will benefit two 
wonderful charities. The Prentice Women's Hospital at Northwestern 
Memorial Hospital is one of the most preeminent women's hospitals in 
the country, providing clinical care, education and research into 
women's health care. For too long, medical research and delivery 
services have failed to address the needs of women. Prentice Women's 
Hospital is playing a tremendous part in changing that, by focusing on 
women's health and allowing women to be actively involved in improving 
their access to medical care. The Nathaniel B. and Joyce Miriam 
Hirschtick Memorial Matching Gift Program will be unveiled at the 
Chicago Fashion Show, and it will continue to raise funds for Prentice 
Women's Hospital.
  The other charity that will benefit is the Bottomless Closet, an 
organization also dedicated to improving the lives of women. The 
Mission Statement of the Bottomless Closet is ``to provide professional 
clothing, job retention training, coaching and mentoring services to 
working-poor women, enabling them to add value to the organizations 
that hire them while empowering them to craft a new vision for their 
lives.'' Clothes can make a difference, not just in how others see us 
but in how we see ourselves. The Bottomless Closet makes sure that low-
income and working-poor women have the tools necessary to achieve their 
goals. With that assistance, women will be empowered to improve the 
well-being of their families and to become productive members of their 
community.
  In addition to commending Arnstein & Lehr, I want to recognize the 
contributions of Cynde Hirschtick Munzer, a key organizer and moderator 
of this event, as well as Terry Schwartz and Gwen Rich, who are 
coordinating the Chicago Fashion Show and outfitting the models. I am 
pleased to be one of the participants in the Chicago Fashion Show. I 
also want to recognize the other women who will model clothing: Joy 
Cunningham, senior vice president and general counsel of Northwestern 
Memorial Hospital; Carrie Hightman, President of Ameritech Illinois; 
Mary Pat Reilly, press secretary to Senator Dick Durbin; Rhoda Belson 
Salins, senior vice president of Solomon Smith Barney; Sheryl Swibel, a 
family therapist; Martha Tuite, a Chicago realtor; Vicki Turoff, 
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Service League board member; Stacey 
Kruger Birndorf, corporate managing director of Cushman & Wakefield of 
Illinois; Kathy Brock, anchorwoman at WLS-TV; Renee Cipriano, director 
of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; Sherren Leigh, editor 
of Today's Chicago Women; Roni Weiner Pressler, assistant vice 
president of Illinois State Medical Insurance Services, Inc.; and the 
Honorable Rita Mullins, mayor of the Village of Palatine. Their 
willingness to contribute their time to this important event is greatly 
appreciated.
  Arnstein & Lehr is not just putting together a charity Fashion Show 
in Chicago. They will also host a similar event in Miami later this 
year, where the benefiting charities will be the Women's Fund of Miami-
Dade County and Suited for Success.
  Again, I want to congratulate and commend Arnstein & Lehr for 
demonstrating such a wonderful commitment to women in their communities 
and for acting now at a time when our nation is facing economic 
difficulties and security threats. Now, more than ever, it is important 
for all of us--individuals and businesses alike--to support each other. 
The Chicago Fashion Show is a wonderful example of how one law firm can 
make a difference in the lives of many.

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