<h2>Alumni in the News</h2>
<h3>Margarette Trushel</h3>
<p><strong>Alumni Story 1: State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka Honors</strong></p>
<p class="caption"><img height="166" border="0" width="250" alt="" src="/id0904f67a803a4696" /><strong> <br />(L-R) Margarette Trushel, '76 M.S.Ed., '74 B.S., of the Oasis Women’s Center of Alton accepts her award from Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka during Topinka’s annual “Woman to Woman: Making a Difference” ceremony and reception held at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Chicago on March 30. Trushel received the award for her work in advocating for victims of domestic violence.</strong></p>
<p>Chicago, IL) –Illinois State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and her Advisory Board for Women’s Issues presented the annual “Woman to Woman: Making a Difference” awards to 15 outstanding women on March 30 during a ceremony and reception held at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Chicago. Margarette Trushel of Oasis Women’s Center, Alton received the award for her work in advocating for victims of domestic violence.</p>
<p>As a member of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence for more than 20 years, Trushel held nearly all of the offices, including chair of the committee that created the standards that still exist today. In 1996 Trushel was instrumental in the formation of a Family Violence Coordinating Council for the Third Judicial District, which has increased public awareness of the impact of domestic violence. She has received many honors and awards, including a Jefferson Award and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.</p>
<p>Woman to Woman Award recipients have empowered others by serving as role models, raised social conscience, promoted diversity, fostered positive inter-group relations or established new programs or organizations to meet identified needs or enhance the quality of life in their communities.</p>
<p>“Each year I look forward to the Making a Difference Awards because we are honoring those individuals who are community leaders,” Topinka said. “With more opportunities available than ever before, women should take advantage of their ability to lead in the community --volunteer, teach, and most importantly forge a new path for the women of tomorrow.”</p>
<p>Merri Dee, Director of Community Relations at WGN Television, served as emcee and Ray McCaskey, President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield, provided remarks. Additionally Judy McCasky, who serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Board for Women’s Issues, offered congratulatory remarks and presented roses to all of the recipients.</p>
<p>Topinka’s office and her Advisory Board for Women’s Issues provide programming and resources for women business owners and those in need of financial management skills. The Treasurer’s Advisory Board has also published “The Financial Resource Guide for Illinois Women,” a free compendium of information for women of all ages. Copies can be obtained by calling 312-814-1700 or by visiting the website at www.state.il.us/treas.</p>
<p class="caption">Information in this article courtesy of Allison Hirsch Fore, Communications Specialist, Office of the Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka</p>