U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) hosted his 3rd Annual ‘Investing in Women’ event at Memorial Center for Learning and Innovation (MCLI) in Springfield this past Saturday. Nearly 100 women attended the event with keynote speakers Justice Lisa Holder White of Decatur and Kimberly Wade, founder of Project Team Jonny and the No Kid Should Have Cancer Foundation, of Jerseyville. Guests also attended breakout sessions led by State Reps. Avery Bourne (R-Raymond) and Sarah Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Leland Grove); Desiree Logsdon, VP at Bunn-O-Matic in Springfield; and Lindy Gault, fitness and nutrition coach from Mahomet.
“I am proud to host this event each year to not only hear from women in my district about the issues impacting them, but also highlight and share the stories of many strong, women leaders throughout our communities,” said Davis. “Women play an important role in our society: creating two out of every three new businesses, making the majority of family health care and financial decisions, and representing more than 72 million people in our workforce. Making sure their voices are heard and accounted for is an important part of my job and critical to the success of our nation.”
Davis started this event in 2014 in Champaign and last year's event was held in Decatur. Photos from this year's event below.
Kimberly Wade (right) discusses her goal to end pediatric cancer and shares the story of when her son Jacky, twin brother of Jonny who passed away from pediatric brain cancer last year, met the president at this year's State of the Union. The Wade family was Davis' guests to highlight the need for more pediatric cancer research. Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children yet only four percent of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) budget goes to pediatric cancer research.
Guests enjoy the keynote session during this year's Investing in Women event.
Justice Lisa Holder White discusses the need for judicial discretion and sentencing reform to give non-violent offenders a second chance.
Attendees listen as Desiree Logsdon, VP at Bunn-O-Matic in Springfield, leads a breakout session on how to create a successful leadership style and define your legacy.
Lindy Gault, fitness and nutrition coach from Mahomet, tells attendees how transforming your daily habits can lead to physical and financial freedom during her session "Be Transformed."
State Rep. Sarah Wojcicki Jimenez (right), with State Rep. Avery Bourne (middle), shares her experience as a female lawmaker in the Illinois General Assembly on a panel moderated by Davis' Chief of Staff Jen Daulby (left).
