Mission
The mission of the Council for Working Women is to advance the interests of women engaged in business professions and serve organizations. This Council will promote opportunities for women in the region and support activities which will enhance the capabilities of women, while acting in unity with the goals and philosophies of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

We'd like to introduce you to the Council for Working Women
The Council or Working Women is a division of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was developed to establish a forum that will provide professional and business growth opportunities for women, enhance their capabilities, and benefit the organizations of businesses they represent.

Council for Working Women 2008 / 2009 Scholarship information. 
Click here for an application to submit to the CWW. 
Please contact Janet Contos at the Joliet Chamber for more information at 815.727.5371. 

Membership in CWW has many benefits:

• Participation in monthly CWW Meetings held the first Thursday of each month. Each meeting features a speaker who presents topics designed to reflect the business and professional interests of the members.
• You will have the opportunity to highlight your business via the 3-minute speaker drawing.
• Joining committees to support and enhance the CWW, including Membership, Program, Special Events, Communications/Newsletter, Scholarship, Nominations and Reality Store.
• Attending special networking and fundraising events that the Council offers:
  • Reality Store is a learning opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors to help them realize potential career and life issues. Students are given a glimpse of life at age 25. Participants make life, career, financial and many more choices as they visit a variety of "stores" at the workshop. The Reality Store is made possible by the partnership of Joliet Township High School and CWW.
  • CWW Golfing-Network-Self-Care Event is a fundraising event that gives members and non-members the opportunity to network, enjoy golf, self-care programs (such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilate's, Chair Massage and Reflexology), health sessions (nutrition and blood pressure) and nurturing sessions (makeovers, nail care, clothing, plants, Feng Shui). Proceeds from this event benefits the CWW Scholarship Program.
  • The CWW Scholarship Program promotes the continuing growth of working women within the community by awarding scholarships to be used to further the recipient's education.
  • The CWW hosts the annual ATHENA Award Luncheon, which recognizes an outstanding professional woman in the community through the international ATHENA Award Program.

Click here for our calendar of events

Council Goals

• Provide business and social contacts in an organizational environment where members can meet other business and professional women and share skills, experience and resources
• Develop leadership skills through committee involvement
• Provide a forum by which working women can discuss problems and opportunities
• provide a communication link between working women and the business community
• Recognize the achievements and promote the contributions of area working women
• Offer educational opportunities through special programs to encourage personal and professional growth. Monthly topics may include: Effective Networking Techniques, Successful Marketing Strategies, Conflict Management and other issues of interest to our membership.

The Council was developed for YOU.
We value YOUR participation. This is a unique opportunity for business and professional women to come together to share ideas, network, teach, support and learn from each other. Please join us!

Membership/Meetings
Membership is open to all who feel they would benefit from the activities of the Council for Working Women.

• $45 for members of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce
• $100 for non-Chamber members

Membership fees are billed annually in January. Those joining between Nov. 1 & Dec 31 will
be included in the January billing.

Meetings are held at 11:45 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month (with the exception of special events) A newsletter and flyers keep members informed of upcoming Council meetings and activities.

Reservations for meetings are required. Members may make their reservations by calling the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry at 815-727-5371 Three days prior to the meeting.

Guest Policy
A person may attend a Council meeting as a guest only once.

Cancellations
Persons who have registered for a meeting and do not attend and have not canceled by NOON the day before the meeting are responsible for the meeting fee.