Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives

Learn more about the special women featured in this year's Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives:

Transforming Lives Award: Theodia Gillespie 

Theodia Gillespie has dedicated her entire adult life to advocating for youth and disadvantaged individuals because she understands the need to educate yourself and work hard in pursuing your dreams. She began her career with the Quad County Urban League in 1984, and since 1993 has served as the organization’s president and CEO, serving clients through education and workforce development in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties. Theodia believes education and employment opportunities garner great potential for individuals and their families, which will make a significant impact locally and put them in a position to build better lives.  Her motto is that sustainable career opportunities help create healthy and viable communities where residents love to live, work, and play. For her incredible heart and dedication to our community, we are honored to present Theodia with the Transforming Lives Award.

Life Transformed Award: Sio Sotelo 

After a job loss and a difficult divorce, Sio Sotelo and her three young boys were facing homelessness. Then, a member of their church guided them to Bridge Communities, where they found a new life and new hope. While at Bridge, Sio returned to school and now works to change lives as an RN for a substance and behavioral health clinic. She will complete her BSN this summer, and recently purchased a house. Sio also volunteers her time to coach Bridge mentors and clients on her highly effective budgeting strategies. We are thrilled to present Sio with the Life Transformed Award.

Event Emcee: ABC7's Judy Hsu 

Judy Hsu is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and in 2018 joined Alan Krashesky as co-anchor on the 6PM Evening News, moving on from her co-anchor duties on the 11AM show. She continues to co-anchor the 4PM News with Rob Elgas. Additionally, Judy hosts a long format interview segment that airs on Sunday mornings called “Our Chicago.”  This segment offers unique perspectives from Chicago area newsmakers as they address the issues impacting our community.
     Judy was thrilled to return to her hometown in 2001 to join ABC 7 as the primary morning anchor of the weekday morning newscast. She helped lead the morning show for 15 years before the announcement of her promotion to the afternoon newscasts. Judy’s on-air work
has garnered multiple Emmy awards. 
     Judy’s family immigrated to Chicago from Taiwan when she was 11 years old. From living in Chicago’s Chinatown, to later attending U of I in Urbana-Champaign and then landing an on-air reporting job the day after graduation, Judy truly embodies the spirit of the American Dream success story.
     Since coming back to Chicago, Judy has worked with dozens of charities throughout the region highlighting issues important to local families. Judy chairs the Advisory Board for Chicago’s Chinese American Service League, and she was invited to join the Community Memorial Foundation’s Regional Health and Human Services Advisory Council in the western suburbs. One of her passions today is speaking to schoolchildren about the importance of pursuing their dreams. 
     Excited to return as emcee, Judy is beloved by Bridge Communities supporters and has even spent an evening in the cold hosting Sleep Out Saturday in 2015. She looks forward to welcoming the important room of compassionate and caring supporters attending the luncheon. Judy resides in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband and four children.

News & events

• Sleep Out Saturday, Virtually Together: One Night, One Community
• Events
  • Glen Ellyn Backyard Barbeque Cook-Off
  • Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives
  • Wine Women & Shoes®
  • The Garage Party
  • The Bridge Communities Classic
• Newsletter
• Media Center