Point application season about to end
Point Foundation ( Point ) , the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBT students of merit, has opened its 2011 application season. Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2010-11 school year are eligible to apply for the prestigious, multi-year scholarships. The application deadline for this year's scholarships is Feb. 11.
The average amount of annual support devoted to each scholar is between $22,000-$31,000, which includes mentoring, leadership and media training and direct financial support.
For information on how to apply for a Point Scholarship, please visit www.pointfoundation.org/apply.html .
City will not arrest Feb. 13 protesters
The City of Chicago has indicated that it will not arrest participants at a Feb. 13 Gay Liberation Network ( GLN ) protest at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State, according to a GLN press release.
The city issued a letter in response to concerns that the event would violate an ordinance that bars most picketing of religious services immediately before, during or after they are being conducted. The protest is slated to take place at 10:30 a.m.
The American Civil Liberties Union wrote a letter to Chicago Police Department ( CPD ) Superintendent Jody Weis, CPD General Counsel Debra Kirby, Corporation Counsel Mara Georges and 18th District Commander Kenneth Angarone, asking if they planned to enforce the ordinance. The city responded that it would not.
GLN stated that the protesters will show their opposition to "the anti-LGBT bigotry of the Catholic hierarchy;" and urge that "tax dollars no longer go to tax-exempt religious groups that refuse to commit to equal rights for LGBT people."
Marriage expo at plaza March 27
The Rainbow Wedding Network's third annual "Same Love, Same Rights" Wedding Expo will take place Sunday, March 27, at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 W. Mart Center, 1-4 p.m.
For more info, see www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com .
Dress for Success opens in Chicago
Dress for Success Worldwide, an international not-for-profit organization, has opened its Central regional office at 515 N. State, according to a press release.
Dress for Success promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 100 cities in the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the United Kingdom and the West Indies.
"With the launch of Dress for Success Worldwide: Central, we will be able to serve more women in Chicago and positively influence not only them but their children as well," said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. See www.dressforsuccess.org for more info.
WCT seeking 30 Under 30 nominations
CHICAGO Windy City Times is seeking to recognize 30 more outstanding LGBT individuals ( and allies ) for its annual 30 Under 30 Awards.
Nominees should be 30 years or under as of June 30, 2011 and should have made some substantial contributions to the LGBT community, whether in the fields of entertainment, politics, health, activism, academics, sports, or other areas.
The deadline to nominate individuals is Friday, April 22.
The annual Windy City Times 30 Under 30 Awards are co-sponsored by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago House, Howard Brown Health Center, Center on Halsted, the Chicago History Museum and the Respiratory Health Care of Metro Chicago.
Windy City Times Managing Editor Andrew Davis coordinates the awards program for the paper. Hundreds of people have been honored by the paper in the more than 10 years since the awards were established. Most honorees have gone on to great success in their careers and educations, including working for the Obama presidential campaign and administration, plus individual successes in music, legal, professional and academic careers and much more.
Individuals, organizations, co-workers, etc. can nominate a person by e-mailing Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or faxed to Andrew Davis' attention to 773-871-7609. Self-nominations are welcome.
The nomination should be 100 words or fewer, and should state what achievements or contributions the nominee has made. Nominators should include their own names and contact information as well as the contact information and the age of the nominee.
Note: Following the policy instituted in 2005, individuals can only win once. Those have won the award since that year are ineligible for this year's awards.
Honorees will be notified in May and recognized at a free ceremony Wed., June 22, 5:30 p.m., at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted.
Windy City Media Group ( WCMG ) produces Windy City Times, Nightspots, OUT! Resource Guide, Identity online, WindyCityQueercast.com and QueerTVNetwork.com . WCMG is also the producer of these annual events: Windy City Gay Idol, Gays Got Talent, 30 Under 30 and the Windy City Times Theater Series. To download all of our products visit www.windycitymediagroup.com . Send questions to publisher@windycitymediagroup.com or call 773-871-7610.
'Cocktails and a Conversation on Aging' Feb. 10 at Tower Club
The Women's Bar Association of Illinois; Clark Hill PLC; and Wells Fargo will present "Cocktails and A Conversation on Aging" Thursday, Feb. 10, 5-7:30 p.m. at the Tower Club, 20 N. Wacker.
The event will include networking and a panel discussion. The panelfeaturing out attorney Ray J. Koenig, III ( of Clark Hill PLC ) , Allison Getz ( of Wells Fargo ) and Sherry S. Kostman ( of Senior Bridge ) will cover the legal, financial and health aspects of aging. The Honorable Maureen Connors, of the First District Appellate Court, will moderate.
For more information, and to register for the event, visit www.wbaillinois.org/wbai/events/view/120 or e-mail wbai@wbaillinois.org .
'Women of Concern' event Feb. 25
Concern Worldwide will hold its annual Women of Concern Brigid Awards luncheon on Fri., Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, 1 W. Wacker.
The 2011 Women of Concern Brigid Awards luncheon honors three Chicagoland women ( Justice Anne Burke, Patricia Blunt Koldyke and Terrie McDermott ) for their achievements. A silent auction featuring national and local celebrities' new and gently used handbags and wallets will take place. The funds raised from this event will support Concern Worldwide's maternal and child health programs in Haiti, Rwanda and Malawi.
Call 312-431-8400 or visit www.concernusa.org .