The March of Dimes Honors Tammy Duckworth, Anita Alvarez and Kwame Raoul at its Annual 'Faces of Our Success' Awards Breakfast in Chicago

October 26, 2009

CHICAGO, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The March of Dimes recognizes outstanding contributions to individuals and initiatives that promote multicultural awareness, and is proud to honor Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth, and Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul. The awards breakfast will be held on Friday, November 6 at the Chicago Marriott, 540 N. Michigan Avenue, at 7:30 a.m. Stephanie D. Neely, Treasurer, City of Chicago, is the Honorary Chairperson for this event. ABC7 news anchor Hosea Sanders will emcee.

Honorees were selected by a March of Dimes Nominating Committee that judged candidates based on their demonstration of outstanding leadership, support for workplace initiatives that embrace local and global diversity, or for initiating innovative programs that teach cultural competence and community building. The award recipients continuously exemplify and promote cultural diversity both in the workplace and in their communities.

Anita Alvarez

On Dec. 1, 2008, Anita Alvarez made history when she was sworn in as Cook County's first female and first Hispanic State's Attorney. Prior to her election in 2008, Alvarez held the rank of Chief Deputy State's Attorney, the third ranking post in the nation's second largest prosecutor's office.

Tammy Duckworth

Before she was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Tammy Duckworth served as the Director of Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs from 2006-2008. As director, she implemented many first-in-the-nation, cutting-edge programs for veterans, especially in the areas of health care, mental health, housing and employment.

Kwame Raoul

State Senator Kwame Raoul has served the 13th Legislative District since November 6, 2004. Raoul, who is a lifelong resident of the Hyde Park/Kenwood area, was tapped to fill the vacancy left by former State Senator Barack Obama's election to the U.S. Senate. Raoul has long been active in community service, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Cook County Bar Association and the Cook County Bar Foundation.

Tickets are $75. Contact 312.596.4721 or rmilbert@marchofdimes.com.

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

SOURCE The March of Dimes