Each year, Zonta Club of Joliet honors a community member who

actively works to support and improve the status of women and

girls and/or has a history of leadership and success in a non-traditional

role as a woman. Current Club members are not eligible.

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At its 2025 Art, Wine & Brew fundraiser on March 21, the award was presented to Will County Executive, Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. 

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Jennifer has been the Will County Executive since 2020. She began her career teaching high school students, before becoming a school principal. During that time, Jennifer also taught classes to aspiring teachers at Joliet Junior College.
 

She first entered public service in 2006 after being elected as Regional Superintendent of Schools in Will County. As Regional Superintendent, Jennifer opened Lincoln School, a program for at-risk students and advocated for quality professional development opportunities for teachers.

She then served two terms in the Illinois General Assembly as a State Senator, continuing her advocacy for public education. She was an important architect in reforming Illinois’ broken education funding system, investing hundreds of millions of new dollars to schools annually. She played a significant role in shepherding numerous pieces of legislation, working on public health and safety, business reforms, protection of seniors and expanding services for veterans.

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The ZCJA applauds Jennifer's commitment to bettering the lives of all Will County residents.