Organization Honors North Center Woman Who is 'Inspiration for Positive Change'

An international humanitarian organization is recognizing two special people—one of whom lives right here in North Center—for their outstanding achievements at an upcoming Chicago luncheon. 

Concern Worldwide U.S. is honoring Shirley Welsh Ryan, co-founder of Pathways.org, and Mari Gallagher, principal of Mari Gallagher Research and Consulting Group, on Feb. 22 for their "outstanding humanitarian and philanthropic leadership" at the organization's Women of Concern Award Luncheon. Gallagher is a North Center resident, representatives said.

“Shirley Welsh Ryan and Mari Gallagher are not only pioneers in their respective fields—they are inspirations for positive change,” Joseph Cahalan, CEO of Concern Worldwide U.S., said in a news release.

“Their compassion and commitment to bringing equal access to healthy food choices and helping children with special challenges reach their full potential have undoubtedly touched and transformed the lives of thousands of people.”

Join Patch for more neighborhood news and follow us on Facebook!

Shirley Welsh Ryan is a nationally recognized advocate for the gift of early detection of children’s physical, sensory and communication issues, and for the hope of early intervention and prevention.

In 1985, she co-founded and has chaired Pathways Clinic, an outpatient pediatric facility. In 1996, she founded the popular Pathways.org website, which illustrates children’s abilities and informs parents and professionals. 

She has been appointed by two United States presidents to the National Council on Disability in Washington D.C., which advises Congress on issues of disability.

Mari Gallagher has dedicated her professional career to collecting and analyzing data for public good. She is perhaps best-known for her work identifying and tackling the issue of food deserts—areas where nutritious and fresh foods are scarcely available—in the U.S.

She is the author of “Examining the Impact of Food Deserts on Public Health in Chicago,” a breakthrough study that popularized the term “food desert”, and was the first person to develop a metric for measuring food-type availability block-by-block.

The women will join past honorees of the Chicago Women of Concern Award Luncheon such as Catherine Bertini, Samantha Power, Mary Dempsey, Avis LaVelle, Justice Anne Burke, Aimee Mullins, and Mary Houghton.

Phil Ponce, host of Chicago Tonight on WTTW11 will emcee the event. 

The Chicago Women of Concern Award Luncheon honors women who have demonstrated the qualities of justice, generosity, and compassion in their work and daily lives.

To purchase tickets, please visit the organization's website or call 312-431-8400. Funds raised through the event will support Concern’s work to break the cycle of extreme poverty in 25 of the world’s poorest countries.

Editors' note: The above information was provided by Concern Worldwide.