An International Women’s Day salute to three outstanding Chicagoans

Luckily, Chicago is filled to the brim with women who are working hard to help impact our lives for the better. We could write an article as long as “War and Peace” trying to include them all.  But today, we will focus on just three who we feel are standouts in honor of International Women’s Day: Sister Rosemary Connelly (Misericordia);  Dorri McWhorter (YMCA Metropolitan Chicago); and Paula Fasseas (PAWS Chicago).  

So, just what IS International Women’s Day? It’s a day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the globe. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. IWD has existed for well over a century, with the first two IWD gatherings in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD, belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.

Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist, and activist once explained, “The story of the women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”  We wanted to spotlight three women who are doing just that and extend that description to include animal rights as well. Special thanks to Sister Rosemary, Paula and Dorri for making such a positive impact on our city (for decades):

Sister Rosemary Connelly has been a force and a game-changer for Misericordia for over 54 years, beginning as its executive director in 1969. Misericordia is home to 600 children and adults with developmental disabilities, with most living on a 31-acre campus on Chicago’s North Side.

In 2019, on the occasion of her 50^th anniversary as executive director and 70^th year as a Sister of Mercy, Sister Rosemary delivered a powerful speech thanking Misericordia.” She said, “I’m certain few people have ever received, on a daily basis, the greetings of love that are mine every day and have been for so many years. What a gift I’ve had. ... The 600 children and adults who call Misericordia home can’t create a good world for themselves, but we all know, once that world is theirs, they become the gift-givers. They are happy people and intuitively seem to know how much God loves them.” She added, “Even though all of our residents are developmentally disabled and some physically challenged as well, they surely know how to love and be loved.

Sister Rosemary (now 92) has never been content with just helping to provide housing and daily essentials, she made the residents feel at home and elevated their level of care. Cardinal Cupich called Sister Rosemary a “transformative leader, exhibiting extraordinary team-building and fundraising skills”  and we couldn’t agree more. Those who have been touched by her kindness or witnessed it, will never forget it. Thanks for all you do for so many Sister Rosemary! (She is now the chairman of the newly created Misericordia Foundation, which will lead fundraising efforts for the charity.)

Dorri McWhorter became president/CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago in 2021. This organization provides a sense of community and social guidance for members through its 14 membership centers, five camps, and nearly 100 extension sites.  Prior to the YMCA, Dorri led the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago where under her leadership, YWCA’s operating budget quadrupled. In 2019, she was inducted into the Chicago Innovation Hall of Fame.

Dorri is an accomplished optimist and socially conscious international business leader dedicated to improving not only Chicago, but the world. Her contributions to our community are vast. She quotes Max Lerner, “I am neither an optimist nor pessimist, but a possibilist.” In a feature article titled "Wonder Woman" in Community Rec Magazine, Dorri shared, “We’re all in the process of becoming ‘that thing’ and constantly evolving. My worldview is I want everyone to recognize they’re valued and loved. The Y plays such an important role in helping people continue to recognize they bring great value to the world.”

Dorri’s civic and philanthropic leadership includes the board of directors for Common Impact, 1871 (Technology Business Accelerator), Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Civic Consulting Alliance, Civic Federation, Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, and Forefront. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lake Forest College. A heartfelt thank you Dorri for your hard work on Chicago’s behalf.

And last, but certainly not least, we come to Paula Fasseas. She is best known as being the co-founder (along with daughter Alexis) of PAWS Chicago, the Midwest’s largest No Kill animal shelter. She is dedicated to bringing an end to the killing of homeless cats and dogs. Through her efforts, the killing of pets in Chicago has declined by more than 91% since PAWS first opened its doors in 1998.  Paula was named Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Magazine for her service and dedication to this worthy cause.

And, through the Peter & Paula Fasseas Foundation, she and her late husband also supported many hospitals and organizations involved with animal welfare, cancer, and education as well as The University of Arizona Fasseas Cancer Center, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern, Culver Military Academy, and the Chicago City Day School. Thank you Paula for your many contributions, not only for our furry friends, but for so many other worthy causes.

On this day, and every day, we salute outstanding women, not only in Chicago, but around the world for their efforts on behalf of others. Be it big deeds or small ones, so many women are making a difference in creating a better place for us all to live. We are global sisters united for a common cause. Long may we reign!  

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