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VANGUARD AWARDS 2016
Diversity and Inclusion Shine at Annual
Awards Luncheon
By Kathleen Dillon Narko
Editorial Board Member
T
welve attorneys and judges received
Vanguard Awards for making the
law and legal profession more
accessible to and reflective of the com-
munity at-large. The Chicago Bar Asso-
ciation and 11 other local bar associations
co-sponsored the award reception and
luncheon Wednesday, April 20, at the
Standard Club.
Call for Inclusion
Many of those receiving awards stressed the
importance of diversity and inclusion in
our profession. Decalogue Society of Law-
yers honoree Justice Michael B. Hyman
stated a theme followed by many at the
luncheon: “This is no time for indifference
or inaction… We lawyers must do what-
ever we can to destroy these wrecking balls
[of bigotry] that are destroying America
from within. We are one human family,
united in our diversity and multicultural-
ism. We must stand together. We must
stand together for equality and dignity
for all. We must stand together for inclu-
sion….We must stand together for one
another.” Leslie Richards-Yellin, honored
by the Black Women Lawyers Association
of Greater Chicago, reinforced these sen-
timents, stating, “Chicagoans know that
to be a great city all groups have to work
together, and all groups have to increase
the diversity of the city.”
Jayne Reardon, honored by the Wom-
en’s Bar Association of Illinois, echoed the
role of the attorneys in supporting diversity
and inclusion, stating, “We need everyone
who is willing to do the work [to promote
increased inclusion in our profession] to be
included in the effort.” Standish E. Willis,
honored by the Cook County Bar Associa-
tion, urged everyone to join a movement to
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JULY/AUGUST 2016
President Patricia Brown Holmes with award recipients. Photos by Bill Richert.
Recently appointed Deputy Mayor Andrea Zopp greets award recipient Zaldwaynaka
(Z) Scott.