WNBA Chicago Sky

Chicago Sky & LaSalle Bank Announce Final Women of Inspiration

Published on August 7, 2007 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


CHICAGO, August 7, 2007 - The Chicago Sky and LaSalle Bank will honor five inspiring Chicago women at the Sky's game this evening at UIC Pavilion, in the conclusion to LaSalle's "Women of Inspiration," a season-long program with the Sky.

The program has three elements, the first of which is a recognition program to select and honor five inspiring women at five Sky home games. Sky fans have nominated Chicago-area women who inspire them by filling out a nomination form at chicagosky.net or at the Sky Store on the concourse at Sky home games.

LaSalle Bank honored Tyra Banks as its fifth Woman of Inspiration at the August 3 Sky game; she was nominated by her sister, Angela Thomas. Tyra has overcome many obstacles in her quest to own her own business. She created Nine and Up, a specialty shoe boutique in Oak Park, because she wanted to help people be comfortable with who they are. She has used her status as a successful businesswoman to enrich her community through many charitable activities. When she heard about a local teenager who couldn't afford to attend his prom, Tyra stepped in and made it happen. She also started a shoe drive to collect gently used shoes for people of need around the world.

Banks and her family were LaSalle Bank's guests in the courtside Skyline Club at the game, and she was recognized by Karen B. Case, LaSalle's executive vice president of commercial real estate, at halftime.

The second element of the program is the LaSalle Bank "Women of Inspiration message boards at chicagosky.net. In addition to forums on the team and its season, the boards feature a forum where Sky fans can describe women who inspire them. Sky players have also posted stories of the women who have changed their lives.

The third element is LaSalle Bank's "Women of Inspiration Night" at tonight's game v. the Indiana Fever at 7 p.m. All five of the selected Women of Inspiration will be honored, and many of Chicago's most inspiring women business leaders will be at the game and a pre-game reception hosted by LaSalle.

"LaSalle Bank commends the Chicago Sky's efforts to recognize and honor the women of our community who provide inspiration," said Larry D. Richman, president of LaSalle Bank N.A. "We are proud to support the Sky, an important new addition to Chicago's sports scene. We hope the Women of Inspiration program encourages all women to pursue their dreams."

In addition to Tyra Banks, LaSalle will recognize the following women: Since being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in January 2006, Shawn Mercer Dixon has proven doctors wrong. She has returned to work full time, resumed her position officiating Chicago public school basketball games, and continues to commit herself to her family. After over fifty years of service at Resurrection High School, in December 2006, Sister Stephanie Blaszczynski embarked on a mission in Tanzania, Africa, to open an all-girls boarding school. Despite the hardships involved, Sister Stephanie returned to complete her project on August 2. Beth Wenzl, a 15-year-old student on Resurrection High School's JV softball team, was hit by a car late last season, resulting in serious injuries and wheelchair confinement. Despite this, Beth continued to follow her team throughout the post-season, giving "everyone a shot of strength when they talk to her."

A triple degree holder from the University of Chicago, Betty Moore is a revolutionary. She protested segregation in the 1950s, fought for her daughter to play Little League in the 1960s, and recently established homeless overnight housing and the Animal Care League of Oak Park and River Forest.

LaSalle will honor four of the five women (Sister Stephanie is in Africa) during a game break this evening. Trish Kelly, executive vice president and head of Institutional Real Estate at LaSalle, and Sky CEO Margaret Stender will present each woman with a crystal frame engraved with the Women of Inspiration logo and her name.

The Sky is the newest of 13 teams in the WNBA, the longest-running women's professional sports league in the world. The Sky celebrated it inaugural season in 2006. For more information, visit www.chicagosky.net.

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