Melissa Cooney grew up in Woodstock and learned at an early age from her parents and grandparents the importance of civic life. Cooney is one of the Northwest Herald's 2025 Women of Distinction honorees.

Ten accomplished mentors, businesswomen, organizers, local leaders and family pillars are honored by Shaw Media/Northwest Herald with 2025 Women of Distinction awards on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

Ten accomplished mentors, businesswomen, organizers, local leaders and family pillars are honored by Shaw Media/Northwest Herald with 2025 Women of Distinction awards on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

Dawn Bremer is a real estate agent, school board member and charity organizer who's known for helping out in many ways in the McHenry area and rallying others to help.

Ellen Hanson, a recipient of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction honor, was a longtime teacher but has had many other roles helping others in the Crystal Lake area.

A grateful colleague describes Dee Darling as someone who "sees something is wrong and sets about a way to go and fix it and she goes for it."

The nominees were heralded for their work ethic, community service, accomplishments and potential during the 42nd awards ceremony.

Thirty-three women were nominated for six awards during the 42nd annual YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Elk's Club in Dixon.

Terri Greeno, among the current class of winners of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction, is a McHenry County Board member, businesswoman and an advocate for job training and groups that help children.

Women of Distinction: Trudy Wakeman

Laura Dzielski-Johnson is one of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction Award winners.

After losing her son in a motorcycle crash, Lisa Orris, formerly the pastor at Hope Church in Crystal Lake, opened Silver Lake Retreat on Silver Lake in Oakwood Hills.

Illinois Valley Living’s seventh annual Women of Distinction awards luncheon was held Thursday at The Cider Mill in rural Princeton

McHenry County Magazine honored its 2018 Women of Distinction on Thursday at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills.

McHenry County Magazine named its 2018 Women of Distinction: Bobbi Baehne, Geri Condon, Regina Belt Daniels, Shira Greenfield, Lori Harms, Patti Lutz, Sue Miller, Carole Peters, Erin Smith and Elizabeth Wakeman.