On May 1st, Illinois AEYC recognized twelve outstanding early childhood leaders from around the state
through a special proclamation in the Illinois General Assembly and a dessert reception in their honor.
The mission of Illinois AEYC is to facilitate the optimal development of young children by advocating for the
rights, needs, and well-being of young children; and educating, supporting, and collaborating with
individuals and organizations working in direct or indirect service to young children. To accomplish this
mission, the organization depends on the hard work of its members. Among them are dedicated leaders
whose hard work has made their local affiliate stronger and the lives of children in their communities better.
Illinois AEYC values the impact these exemplary volunteers have made as early childhood professionals.
Each stands out for their contribution to their communities, to the early childhood field, their local AEYC
affiliates, and to Illinois AEYC. The twelve represent a wide range of professional positions; many have
worked in the field for more than 25 years; some continue to volunteer after retiring. Illinois AEYC gratefully
acknowledges these contributions.
The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and the affiliate chapter they represent are:
LORI LONGUEVILLE - Illinois AEYC
JENNIFER BROSNAHAN - Joliet Area AEYC
ANGIE COX - Southern Illinois AEYC
ANNETTE HERBERT - South Suburban AEYC
LEON DENTON - Chicago Metropolitan AEYC
PEGGY PATTEN - East Central AEYC
LAURIE WALKER - Quad Cities AEYC
TAMMY HALTER - McLean County AEYC
BRENDA SMITH- Heart of Illinois AEYC
PAM GIERMANN- DuPage AEYC
CATHY ARMSTRONG- Capitol Area AEYC
CATHERINE (CASS) WOLFE - Golden Corridor AEYC (GOAEYC)
An Award Ceremony and Reception was held in their honor on May 1, 2012, at the Governor's Mansion,
401 E. Jackson St., Springfield, Illinois, 62701. The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and their guests,
AEYC members from across the state, and Illinois Legislators were invited to the dessert reception where
each 2012 Children's Champion was recognized for their achievements.
Everyone gathered at the Capitol for a special proclamation in both chambers and then proceeded to the
Governor's Mansion. The 2012 Children's Champions represent shining examples of those in our
communities doing good things for children, which led them to be nominated by their state/local affiliate
chapters and designated by the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children as Illinois 2012
Children's Champions.
Quad Cities AEYC Nominee - LAURIE WALKER
Laurie Walker has always been a Children's Champion! If she has not found a way to speak out for
children, we are sure she is in the process of discovering it! Laurie has no problem being the voice for
Children, Families, and Early Childhood Providers. She sits on various boards and meets with individuals
all across the State of Illinois in order to make sure that the voice of young children do not go unheard.
Laurie is a member of the IL Action for Children Board of Directors and past Board Chair, the IL Governor's
Early Learning Council Oversight and Coordination Committee, the IL State Board of Education
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Stakeholder Committee, the IL Department of Human Services
(IDHS) Child Care and Development Advisory Council and co-chairs the Quality Committee, the Bi State
Leadership Committee, and the United Way Women's Leadership Council Steering Committee. She was
formerly Chair of the United Way Agency Director Association, Chair of the IL Department of Human
Services Statewide Advisory Council, and co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of
the IDHS Tiered Reimbursements Committee, the IDHS contract Deliverables Committee, and the IDHS
Great Start Committee. Laurie, truly, has a passion and commitment to children and excellence and her
dedication to this field is what Early Childhood is all about.
through a special proclamation in the Illinois General Assembly and a dessert reception in their honor.
The mission of Illinois AEYC is to facilitate the optimal development of young children by advocating for the
rights, needs, and well-being of young children; and educating, supporting, and collaborating with
individuals and organizations working in direct or indirect service to young children. To accomplish this
mission, the organization depends on the hard work of its members. Among them are dedicated leaders
whose hard work has made their local affiliate stronger and the lives of children in their communities better.
Illinois AEYC values the impact these exemplary volunteers have made as early childhood professionals.
Each stands out for their contribution to their communities, to the early childhood field, their local AEYC
affiliates, and to Illinois AEYC. The twelve represent a wide range of professional positions; many have
worked in the field for more than 25 years; some continue to volunteer after retiring. Illinois AEYC gratefully
acknowledges these contributions.
The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and the affiliate chapter they represent are:
LORI LONGUEVILLE - Illinois AEYC
JENNIFER BROSNAHAN - Joliet Area AEYC
ANGIE COX - Southern Illinois AEYC
ANNETTE HERBERT - South Suburban AEYC
LEON DENTON - Chicago Metropolitan AEYC
PEGGY PATTEN - East Central AEYC
LAURIE WALKER - Quad Cities AEYC
TAMMY HALTER - McLean County AEYC
BRENDA SMITH- Heart of Illinois AEYC
PAM GIERMANN- DuPage AEYC
CATHY ARMSTRONG- Capitol Area AEYC
CATHERINE (CASS) WOLFE - Golden Corridor AEYC (GOAEYC)
An Award Ceremony and Reception was held in their honor on May 1, 2012, at the Governor's Mansion,
401 E. Jackson St., Springfield, Illinois, 62701. The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and their guests,
AEYC members from across the state, and Illinois Legislators were invited to the dessert reception where
each 2012 Children's Champion was recognized for their achievements.
Everyone gathered at the Capitol for a special proclamation in both chambers and then proceeded to the
Governor's Mansion. The 2012 Children's Champions represent shining examples of those in our
communities doing good things for children, which led them to be nominated by their state/local affiliate
chapters and designated by the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children as Illinois 2012
Children's Champions.
Quad Cities AEYC Nominee - LAURIE WALKER
Laurie Walker has always been a Children's Champion! If she has not found a way to speak out for
children, we are sure she is in the process of discovering it! Laurie has no problem being the voice for
Children, Families, and Early Childhood Providers. She sits on various boards and meets with individuals
all across the State of Illinois in order to make sure that the voice of young children do not go unheard.
Laurie is a member of the IL Action for Children Board of Directors and past Board Chair, the IL Governor's
Early Learning Council Oversight and Coordination Committee, the IL State Board of Education
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Stakeholder Committee, the IL Department of Human Services
(IDHS) Child Care and Development Advisory Council and co-chairs the Quality Committee, the Bi State
Leadership Committee, and the United Way Women's Leadership Council Steering Committee. She was
formerly Chair of the United Way Agency Director Association, Chair of the IL Department of Human
Services Statewide Advisory Council, and co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of
the IDHS Tiered Reimbursements Committee, the IDHS contract Deliverables Committee, and the IDHS
Great Start Committee. Laurie, truly, has a passion and commitment to children and excellence and her
dedication to this field is what Early Childhood is all about.
