By Lotty Blumenthal

March was Women’s History Month. On March 16th, 2006 CLUW (Coalition of Labor Union Women) held the 26th Annual Florence Criley Award Presentation at the New Matinique Banquet Hall In celebration of International Women’s day.

Remarks were made by Judy Beard, National APWU. Criley Award winners were Lolita Griffin, librarian, member of AFSCME local 1215, Sharon Willans, of the hospitality division of UNITE HERE, striking Congress Hotel employee, Martha Pedrosa, CTU local #1, and Rosie Carter ofAFSCME, local #1215.

Olda Madar Honorees were Margaret Blackshere, first and current woman to be President of Illinois State AFL-CIO, Mary Crayton, National AFL-CIO, and Linda Turney, Postal Worker’s Union Local #4871. She is the first elected Vice President and President of APWU.

CLUW meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at 333 S. Ashland — the Chicago Working Women’s History Project

On Wednesday, March 22, the Working Women’s History Project held its annual Gala in honor of women’s history month at Rosevelt University (Congress Lounge, 2nd floor). Entitled “K is for Courage J is for Justice,” the event was an original play which celebrated the life of Katie Jordan. Actors were Alma Washington of Actors Equity Union and Bridgid Gerace both of Actors Equity and CTU. Katy Jordan (of UNITE HERE and President of Chicago Chapter of CLUW) was the winner of the 2006 Mother Jones Award. A dance was performed by Benita Williams, member.

The event was sponsored by the Chicago Area Women’s History Conference, Chicago Teachers Union, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), UNITE HERE, Illinois Labor History Society, OPEIU Local 391, and SEIU Illinois Council.

Those interested in joining the Women’s History Project can call Sue Strauss at 773 761 6013 or http:// workingwomen.homestead. com/