The second annual Women in Circle WILD (Women in Leadership & Development) Awards were presented to this year's winners on Sunday, March 2. The WILD Awards Banquet was held jointly with the Chicago MKP men's WOW (Way of the Warrior) Awards at the White Eagle Banquets in Niles, IL. The Women in Circle community nominated women for the WILD awards and voted for the nominees, choosing the women for the Community Leader, Community Builder and Mentor Award. The Women in Circle community also voted for one MKP man to receive the Empowered Leader Award from the WIC Community.

Melissa Mondschain (on the left) received the Community Leader award. This award is given to a women who is a a leader within our WIC community and without. Melissa received this award for her effectiveness as our Spirit Leader and as well as the bi-weekly open ecircle she has created. Melissa has set up a warm and open environment both in communication within the community and in the open e-circle. The open e-circle is a very safe place for women to do their work.

Melissa inspires the WIC community so much in her openness and soul searching determination. Women really feel much love and clear direction in her leadership. Melissa is presented with her award by Arleen Prairie.

The Community Builder Award was given to Natasha Taylor (on the right). Natasha served as Women in Circle Spirit Leader for the two years just prior to Melissa. During this time, Natasha raised awareness by providing opportunities for the women in this community to give voice to their feelings and thoughts on multiculturalism and diversity. She kept the issue in the front of the community and worked patiently, with integrity and authenticity with MKP Chicago to mend our relationship.

Carol Kahn received the Community Mentor award. The Mentor award is given to a women who is a teacher to many. Carol received the award for all her work leading weekends for Women Within as well as mentoring the Facilitators and Facilitators in Training. As Weekend Leader, Carol observes work on WWTW Weekend, learning how to improve processes as well as mentoring the FIT's and Facilitator's and the rest of the staff. Carol also leads training weekends for teenage girls.

Marilyn Jaffe accepted the award on the behalf of Carol who was in Australia leading the first Australian WWTW at the time of the award banquet.

Rob Johnson received the Empowered Leader award from Women in Circle community. The Empowered Leader Award is presented annually to a man who has provided leadership through his empowerment and dedication to the causes of both Woman Within and The Mankind Project.

Rob has given his time and energy to both MKP Chicago and MKP international, as well as the women's community in Chicago for many years. Rob has served on the MKP Chicago board, staffed more than 50 MKP weekends, and been a leader in I groups for years. He initiated men and women's groups, called I/E groups many years ago, leading groups in Evanston, at the MKP Chicago men's center, in Lombard and in Hyde Park, asking only that the group contribute each session with the funds going for scholarships for MKP and WW weekends. Rob has taken action to do and teach deep work for both men and women, holding facilitation trainings for men and women together. Rob has continued to work with men and women in his coaching practice.

Louise Lovdahl received the award of Empowered leader from the Chicago MKP. This reward is given to a women who has provided leadership through her empowerment and dedication to the causes of both Women Within and the Mankind Project. Louise received this award for her work of the Multi-cultural committee, for being the primary organizer of the MCC’s international conferences in Chicago and Kenosha in the last 2 years. She has also served on the joint International MKP/WW conferences in Chicago and Milwaukee in past years. Louise chose to share her award with Leslie Recht (above, far right). Louise presented Leslie with roses to honor Leslie for her work in bringing MKP and WW together.

Link to view photos of the 6 New Warriors (John Cecilia, Kerry Fleming, Bill Hawkins, Rob Johnson, Hal Klegman, Dan Knuth) who were honored at the WOW and WILD awards, as well as all the award winners from Women in Circle, Aldermen Burnett and Fioretti, musicians Jeff Dick, Donna Harnett, and Joni Mason, plus a few faces in the crowd: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24761963@N07/