State’s Attorney Kim Foxx shared lessons learned from her mother and daughters
The second annual Polished Pebbles Mommy & Me Career Day Conference brought together girls and moms, aunts, grandmothers and mentors to learn with each other and from each other about career building at any age. The Women’s Board of The Chicago Urban League co-sponsored the event that was held at James Madison Elementary School.
The Polished Pebbles Mommy & Me Career Day Conference and summer workshops were created to provide a space for moms and daughters to build job readiness skills and create visions for future careers and businesses together. “Through the years, Polished Pebbles has received inquiries from girls’ moms who were in need of the very same workforce development training their daughters were receiving to either jump-start their professional pursuits or equip them with information to pursue their dream business,” says Kelly Fair, Polished Pebbles founder and executive director.
The highlight of the event was Cook County’s State Attorney Kim Foxx’s keynote address. The mother shared lessons learned from her mother and daughters. “Motherhood is a constant journey of listening and learning,” says Foxx. “I’ve learned as much from my children as I’ve learned from my mother. It’s important that moms and daughters walk hand in hand in the journey.”
Girls and women engaged in activity stations related to career planning, entrepreneurship and communication. International hair stylist and philanthropist Chris Curse presented a beauty workshop, and Ann Taylor treated the guests to a fashion show. Panelists included Nikki Hayes, proprietor of Pier 31; Sergeant Janice Wilson, Chicago Police Department; and Erin Diehl, CEO, Improve It!
About Polished Pebbles
Award-winning Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program provides girls and young women with the communications skills they need to succeed in school, their communities, and their future workplace. Girls learn communication skills, conflict resolution, and on-the-job etiquette, and are connected to workplace experiences and mentorship provided by corporate professionals. Kelly Fair launched Polished Pebbles in Chicago in 2009. She and her team have mentored over 2,500 girls of color from ages 7 to 17. The program has expanded to schools in Gary, IN, and a college chapter has been established at Duke University.
