Events

On Friday, October 23, 2020, Judy Baar Topinka’s son, Joseph Baar Topinka, will be a speaker at the Constitutional Democracy Project from IIT Chicago Kent College of Law.

Joseph will be speaking from 2:30 pm until 3:45 pm on the following topic: What Makes a Good Leader? Lessons from Judy Baar Topinka’s life.

This whole event is an incredible opportunity for teachers, students, parents, and librarians. Of great interest to Joseph is the special presentation on Remembering Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Judy Baar Topinka was a great fan of Justice Ginsberg. 

The event is free and goes from 8:30 am until 3:45 pm Central.

More information at  https://constitutionaldemocracyproject.org/whatwedo/professional-development/conference-for-teachers/2020-workshops.html

Founded in 2009, the Dare to Dream: Get Educated program is about getting middle school and high school Latinas educated. The program encourages and supports the efforts of Latinas to graduate from high school, to encourage enrollment, and to introduce them to college and career role models.

This year’s Dare to Dream event is at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Guest speakers include State Representative Kathleen Willis, State Representative Karina Villa, Deputy Governor Sol Flores, Diana Diaz-Espindola, Vanesa Sanchez, Elizabeth Gomez, Teresita Marsal-Avila, Dr. Eiliana Silva, and Monica Lopez who will address issues ranging from Career and Campus Life to Financial Aid.

Twenty schools have been invited to participate and 300 students are expected to attend.

Joseph Baar Topinka will be attending the event to speak about Judy Baar Topinka and to be available to sign copies of Just Judy, A Citizen and Leader for Illinois. The book is a perfect fit for Dare to Dream: Get Educated as the book was originally designed for middle-school students and junior high school students. Judy Baar Topinka can be one of those career role models. Copies of Just Judy will be handed out to each student attending. Over 300 students are expected to attend this incredible event.

On behalf of the Judy Baar Topinka Foundation, copies of Just Judy, A Citizen and Leader for Illinois will be provided to each student at both events.  The author, Judy’s son, plans to be present to autograph copies of the book and tell the children in English and Spanish stories about Judy. 

Just Judy is an incredible book designed to teach young, middle-school youths about civics and leadership with over 100+ activities, projects, and essay questions.  With a foreword written by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza and letters within the book from such leaders as Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore, Retired US Senator Adlai E. Stevenson III, US Circuit Court Judge William J. Bauer, and the grandson of Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, Anton Cermak Kerner, this book is ideal for every student at both conferences and in schools all around Illinois.  The book will describe the gregarious spirit and energy of Judy Baar Topinka to inspire students to dare to dream and say “yes to the future.”!

We received a wonderful letter from Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough thanking us inviting her to our luncheon and fashion show as well as naming her the second winner of the Judy Award.

Dear Mr. Topinka:

I wish to thank you and the members of the selection committee who chose me to be the recipient of the 2nd Annual Judy A ward, in honor of your mother, my colleague, and a great public servant to all of us, Judy Baar Topinka.

Thank you, as well, for inviting me to the wonderful luncheon and fashion show. I enjoyed the company and it felt so good to be able to remember Judy at an event that she would have loved.

I congratulate you, as well, for keeping Judy’s legacy and commitment to public service alive with the scholarships awarded by the Judy Baar Topinka Foundation. These students are our future leaders and providing them with assistance and encouragement is a fitting way to honor Judy.

Sincerely yours,

Karen A Yarbrough,
Cook County Clerk

Enjoy Shopping, Lunch, Award Ceremony and Special Presentation Given By Joseph Baar Topinka, Son of the Late Illinois State Comptroller, Judy Baar Topinka.

Best-selling author and professor, Joseph Baar Topinka will entertain with a fascinating presentation, focusing on the women’s empowerment, through the determination, leadership and spirit exhibited by his late mother, Illinois State Comptroller, Judy Baar Topinka.

Judy was a pioneering leader, role model and animal rights crusader, who founded “Comptroller’s Critters Pet Adoption Program”. She worked tirelessly as a public servant, reaching across the aisle, appealing to all parties, and taking Illinois by Storm, with her dedication to open and honest government.

The presentation, based upon his best-selling book, “Just Judy!”, chronicles her storied life as a journalist, state senator, and Illinois State Comptroller, where she broke through glass ceilings, time and time again, all while being a devoted mother and volunteering her time to worthy causes.

Crystal Sky Banquets

7941 West 47th Street, McCook, Illinois

September 5, 2019
Tickets: $15
[Includes Lunch, Tax & Tip]

With Every Total Purchase of Clothing and/or Accessories From Mary Ann @ This Event, We Will Give You One $5 Certificate To Use Toward the Purchase of Joseph’s Book, “Just Judy”, Making the Book Purchase Price Just $11.95!

R.S.V.P. Mary Ann
maryann@maryannsshoppe.com
708-215-8028

Doors Open: 11 a.m.
Lunch and Presentation: 12 p.m.

Followed By Shopping With Mary Ann
Joseph Baar Topinka Book Sale and Signing

Judy Adored Mary Ann’s Shoppe!
Discover The Latest Fall Fashions!

And Don’t Forget To Check Out Judy’s Bargain Racks!

Join Author Joseph Baar Topinka at the Centuries and Slueths Bookstore in Forest Park, IL for a discussion of his book, Just Judy: A Citizen & Leader for Illinois (The Story of Judy Baar Topinka)

Just Judy: A Citizen and Leader for Illinois is a wonderful resource for 6th grade and up, with over 100 interactive classroom activities, critical thinking and self-reflection essay questions, and research prompts to fuel additional learning based on the same principles that are covered throughout Judy’s story. Judy Baar Topinka continues to inspire us all and, through the voice of her son, encourages us to follow in her footsteps to support our local communities, actively participate in our civic duties, respect one another, take pride in our own unique heritage, and embrace life-long learning.