CBA Record May-June 2023

success fueled my own success.” The Alta May Hulett Award was bestowed on Carolyn Blessing of Locke Lord. This award was named for the first woman lawyer in Illinois and is given to a woman who meets the Founder’s Award criteria but has been qualified to prac tice law for 15 years or less. Blessing is a partner at Locke Lord and serves as the Vice Chair of the National Board of the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law. She is responsible for driving the Coali tion’s mission in Chicago to support and enhance its member organization’s women’s initiative programs. Under her leadership, the organization has reached thousands of women in Chicago and throughout the country. Blessing spoke about being intentional and the importance of creating commu nities of women who support each other. “Being part of these communities allows us to step out of our firms and compa nies and interact with other professional women who are experiencing many of the challenges that we are facing,” shared Blessing. “This is invaluable to gain per spective on our own situations and build the tool kits we need to conquer any chal lenge that comes our way.” The Alliance for Women works within the CBA to advance interests of women in the legal profession and the larger com munity. Through speaker forums, debates, meetings, networking events, and direct community service, the Alliance tack les issues including career advancement, balancing work with outside interests, cultural diversity, ending violence against women, community service, and equality in education. To join the Alliance for Women, contact Meghan.odonnell@lexisnexis.com or sign up at www.chicagobar.org/committees.

Alliance for Women Presents Founder’s and Alta May Hulett Awards By Meghan O’Donnell, LexisNexis and AFW Co-Chair, and Ann Glynn, CBA Public Affairs Director Left to Right: AFW Co-Chair Meghan O’Donnell, LexisNexis; AFW Co-Chair Mona Naser, Carlson Dash; Susan Shulman, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic; Carolyn Blessing, Locke Lord; Co-Vice Chair Chidinma Ahukanna, Aronberg Goldgehn; and Co-Vice Chair Chandler Caswell, Barnes & Thornburg.

T he CBA’s Alliance for Women cel ebrated two outstanding woman lawyers with the Founder’s Award and the Alta May Hulett Award at a recep tion at CBA Headquarters. This year’s winners, Susan Shulman of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic and Carolyn Blessing of Locke Lord, were honored for their significant contributions to advanc ing women in the legal profession and for exemplifying the highest level of profes sional achievement, ethics, and excellence in their careers. Shulman received the Founder’s Award for demonstrating a sustained, active commitment to the advancement of women throughout her career. She

is the Executive Director of the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, where she oversees the operations, direction, and growth of the organization. Under her leadership, the NSLAC has grown from having 70 clients, a budget of $20,000, and one employee to having served more than 1,500 clients, a budget of nearly $3.5 million, and a staff of 35. After benefitting from mentorship by women early in her career, Shulman was inspired to do the same for others. “I committed to lifting talented women and supporting them in every way I could,” she said. “It was my intention to ensure that women’s voices be heard, and their contributions valued – knowing their

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10 May/June 2023