Joliet Zonta Club names 2018 Woman of the Year

The Zonta Club of Joliet recently named member Catherine Yanikoski Adamowski as the club’s 2018 Woman of the Year. Adamowski graciously accepted her award at the April meeting.

Elected by fellow Zonta Club members, Adamowski joins a treasured group of women who have achieved this prestigious honor.

Zonta recognizes one of their members on an annual basis for making a significant contribution that has enhanced the visibility and operation of the club.

Adamowski was selected by the Joliet Zonta membership for always being a positive force in advancing the status of women and for taking the club’s advocacy work to a whole new level.

As an active Zonta member, Adamowski has served as the advocacy co-chairman since 2016, where she has made a tremendous impact through innovative projects that use technology and social media interaction.

Adamowski’s other notable achievements in Joliet community service efforts include Cathedral Area Preservation Association Board of Directors/Membership Director (2014-present); Community Leadership School Advisory Group (2016-present); New Orleans North Committee, food subcommittee (2016-present); Take Back the Night Committee (2016-present) and coordinator of the Joliet Area Little Free Library Community Project (2017-present).

Adamowski dedicates time volunteering at a multitude of local events such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the CAPA Beer Walk, and the CAPA Wine Walk.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Art in English and philosophy from St. Xavier University in 2002, and with a Master of Science in information and llbrary science from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign in 2003.

Adamowski has worked in libraries for over 20 years.

Her post-MLS career as a professional librarian has been spent as the school library media specialist at Bishop McNamara High School (Kankakee, IL; 2003-2008); adult and teen services manager/Crest Hill branch manager at White Oak Library District (Crest Hill, Lockport, Romeoville, IL: 2008-2011); deputy director at Fountaindale Public Library (Bolingbrook 2011-2017) and deputy director at Joliet Public Library (2017-present).

Past Woman of the Year honorees include 1986 Helen Harshbarger, 1987 Dorothy Cryder, 1988 Carmela Castagna, 1989 Dianna Gliwa, 1990 Wanda Onstad, 1991 Charlotte Baker, 1992 Shan-de-Mohra Gavankar, 1993 Jane DeWitt, 1994 Judith Freund Vavrus, 1995 Pam Davis Gorcowski, 1996 Helen Sarsfield, 1997 Emita Ostrem, 1998 Ta Wilson, 1999 Jan Larsen, 2000 Lora McGuire, 2001 Bonnie McElroy, 2002 Dianne Harmon, 2003 Karen Lega, 2004 Kathy Giegerich, 2005 Beth Ann May, 2006 Mary Baudino, 2007 Pat Perrier, 2008 Dinah Archambeault, 2009 Yolanda Reyes,2010 Bonnie Horne, 2011 Rita Weiss, 2012 Beth Colvin, 2013 Mary Lancaster, 2014 Peggy Field, 2015 Cathy Lowery, 2016 Helen Hester Ross and 2017 Kristine Schlismann.