Margaret Byrne,Director and one of the Founders of the Illinois Clemency Project for Battered Women.

Leslie Brown, Founder of Leslie’s Place, a transitional living home for women released from prison.

Jody Raphael, Visiting Professor at DePaul Law School and nationally known author and expert on violence against women

“From Bonnets to Law Briefs,” The Story of Early Women Lawyers in Illinois,an orginal performance piece by JOAN MORRIS, tells the stories of early Chicago women lawyers (1860s to 1930s), their struggles to study and practice law in Illinois, and their accomplishments as lawyers.

Two seasoned members of Actors Equity, Brigid Duffy and Alma Washington play, respectively, Myra Bradwell and Violette Anderson. Mary Bonnett takes on the role of Mary Bartelme; Paul Odell acts the role of a judge; and music is performed by Ken Morris.