WBAI to honor women leaders

Chicago attorneys Ruth Ann Schmitt, executive director of the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, and Laurel G. Bellows of Bellows & Bellows, a past president of the Chicago Bar Association, have received 2005 Women with Vision Awards from the Women's Bar Association of Illinois.

The awards were presented during the WBAI's 64th annual Joint Professional Dinner on Nov. 9 in Chicago. Co-sponsors were the Association of Corporate Counsel, National Association of Women Business Owners, Professional Women's Club of Chicago and University of Chicago Women's Business Group.

Schmitt received the Legal Aid Award for her career of serving low-income families through the LTFI and previously with the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation.

Bellow received the Law Award for her work in increasing opportunities for women through community leadership and service in organizations that include the CBA Alliance for Women and the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession.

Also honored were Vicki Kunkel, chief executive officer of Presentation Makers, the Business Award; Associate Prof. Nancy John of the University of Illinois, Chicago, the Academics Award, and Willye White, founder and president of the Willye White Foundation, the Community Service Award.