Two recent decisions from the Seventh Circuit highlight our news report this month. In the first report, Sharon Eiseman describes a Seventh Circuit decision that struck down Cook County's set-aside program for women and minority-owned business enterprises. The second opinion involves a gender discrimination claim brought by a woman who was transferred to the night shift. In other breaking news, Celia Gamrath describes the recent honors bestowed on Chicago's own Laurel G. Bellows by the ABA Commission on Women.

In the features department, we are pleased to kick off a new Profiles in Success series. This series will present mini-biographies of some of the most successful women lawyers in the state. ISBA Secretary Irene Bahr is featured in our first article, written by Terrie Rymer.

Readers with a math or science phobia will appreciate Susan Lynam's article on InnerLink, which is an organization fighting the misperception that girls do not need to learn math and science. In our community outreach series, Lynn Grayson introduces us to WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger), a transitional housing program for homeless suburban women and their children, and Julia Langfelder describes the free mediation services provided by the Center for Conflict Resolution.

Happy reading.

Newsletter Editors

Alice Noble-Allgire

Diana Jagiella