Chicago Sky and Bank of America Honor Women of Inspiration
Published on June 18, 2008 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release
CHICAGO, June 18, 2008 - For the second consecutive season, the Chicago Sky and Bank of America have partnered to honor Chicago's Women of Inspiration. Today they announced the program's first honoree, Cynthia Williams, who was presented with a game ball at center court during the Sky game on Friday night.
The Women of Inspiration program has two elements, the first of which is a recognition program to select and honor five to seven inspiring women at Sky home games throughout the 2008 season. Sky fans can nominate Chicago-area women who inspire them - by their courage, their determination, their forgiveness, the way they use a talent or skill, their generosity, their patience, or whatever it is that makes them inspiring. Fans can fill out a nomination form at chicagosky.net or on the concourse at Sky home games.
The second element is Bank of America's Women of Inspiration Night, which will take place on Thursday, June 26, at the Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury game at UIC Pavilion. The night will begin with a private pre-game reception for Chicago's women business leaders and the young women they mentor. A panel of women who are involved in Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games will give guests an inside look at the city's effort to win the games. The Sky's own Sylvia Fowles, who will play for the US Women's Olympic Basketball Team in Beijing in August, will also participate. Bank of America's guests will then watch the Sky take on the reigning WNBA Champion Mercury and their two Olympians, Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter.
"Bank of America is proud to support the Chicago Sky's Women of Inspiration program," said Bank of America Market Development Manager Julie Chavez. "We encourage Sky fans to take this opportunity to nominate outstanding women who help make Chicago one of the nation's truly great cities."
The first honoree selected by Bank of America is Cynthia Williams. For as long as Kimberly Hilliard can remember, her Aunt Cynthia has been a true inspiration. Kimberly grew up in Chicago's Robert Taylor project. Even though her Aunt Cynthia was working and going to school, she took the time to make sure Kimberly was taken care of and educated. Cynthia would play school with Kimberly when she got home from work, even assigning her homework to keep her on track. Cynthia was there when Kimberly's grandmother and uncle passed away. She was there when Kimberly's mother was going through a tough time. Even though Kimberly has since moved away, Cynthia's unconditional love and support remains constant. And now, Kimberly is passing along the values Cynthia taught her to her own daughter.
In her nomination, Kimberly wrote, "So often we may not find time to tell the person who inspired us how much we love them. Well, this is my time. I love you, Aunt Cynthia." Williams and her family were Bank of America's guests in the courtside Skyline Club at the June 13 Sky game, and she was recognized by Bank of America officials and Sky CEO Margaret Stender at halftime.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from June 18, 2008
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- Chicago Sky and Bank of America Honor Women of Inspiration - Chicago Sky
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