Kate O'Connor Award for the Business Work Force

Kate O'Connor worked continuously to break down the prejudice against women in public life, and to improve working conditions for women and children in business and industry. She campaigned in the Midwest for passage of the 19th amendment and for that was awarded the National American Woman Suffrage Association Pioneer Badge. She was the first woman who ever sought election to public office in Winnebago County. In 1888, she was the sole woman among 55 stockholders in the Rockford Morning Star. Governor Horner named her Supervisor of Women's Employment to become the first woman code officer in the State of Illinois and the first of her gender to have her appointment confirmed by the senate. Her deepest interests were to help remove the hardships and handicaps of workers of Illinois, and in protecting women in their wages and hours, and children, against any unscrupulous exploitation. This award is given to a woman who is an exemplary member of the work force, someone in a non-managerial position who makes the workplace better.

2008 Winner

Lorraine Campbell, RN
Nominated by OSF Saint Anthony

Lorraine has exhibited leadership throughout her career starting as a nurse recruiter and today as a Six Sigma Black Belt at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Her influence goes beyond even her own awareness. Affecting patient care positively long after her direct involvement. She creates and puts processes in place that improve patient care not only in our community but, several cities throughout Illinois and Michigan. She has affected women and girls by recruiting them into nursing careers that have made their dreams to reality.

 

Past Award Winners

2007 No Winner
2006 No Winner
2005 No Winner
2004 Kim Ponder
2003 Alanna Conard
2002 Sister Francis Henry Schenk
2001 Monica Plymale
2000 Anna Goral
1999 Terry Myers
1998 Pauletta Jordan
1997 Patti Bigger
1996 Zan Picchioni
1995 Norma Whitby

 

1994 Nancy Flanagan
1993 Diane Bottlemy
1992 Victoria Benson
1991 June Swanson
1990 Amy Hill
1989 No Winner
1988 Kathryne Carriglitto
1987 Eldora Zimmerman
1986 Joan Peters
1985 Janyce Albert
1984 Lillian Dietz
1983 Ona Krukonis
1982 Colleen Forry