Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD) and Top Teens of America (TTA) – Chicago Chapter will host the 42nd annual Area III Leadership Conference from Thursday, March 8, 2018 until Sunday, March 11, 2018 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Since 1975, the Area III Leadership Conference takes place annually in a Midwest City. There will be numerous workshops and activities for registrants that support the conference’s theme, “Investing in the Future through Exceptional Leadership and Service”.
The ultimate goal of the conference is for members of Top Teens of America to be empowered to continue to develop leadership skills, network and effectively provide community service with specified community partners. In addition, this is an opportunity for the 15 participating TLOD and TTA chapters to highlight their participation in projects and programs that service youth and adults.
On Friday, March 9, 2018 at 7:00 pm, there will be a Public Meeting and Community Awards event where Lady Drema Lee Woldman, the TLOD National President will share the organization’s attributes and updates. During the program, TLOD will honor community members and partners associated with Chicago Chapter in its quest to serve youth and adults. The list of honorees include: Illinois State Representative William Davis (Service to Youth), the Victory Centre of Roseland (Service to Senior Citizens), Mrs. Pamela Morris Walton (Status of Women), Mrs. Jacqueline James Lewis (Community Beautification), Cook County Commissioner Larry Rogers, Jr., Esq (Community Partnerships), Ms. Jeanette Igwe (March of Dimes), Lady Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson (Humanitarian) and former Chicago Chapter Top Teens who are continuing to provide community service: Lady Nicole Barrett, Ph. D, Ms. Angela J. Ford, and 28th Ward Alderman Jason C. Ervin.
The conference is led by the National Area III Director, Lady Mary Leach Davis, a member of the East St. Louis Chapter. TLOD is comprised of six geographical locations. Area III comprises eight states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska. The area has 15 chapters and is growing.
The TLOD Chicago Chapter was the first chapter in the city of Chicago. The chapter was founded on April 21, 1974 with seven ladies that were committed to providing service to youth and adults in the Chicago area. The Chicago Chapter has provided many service projects that include Toys for Tots, Beach Sweep, Adopt-a-Street, Breast Cancer Walk, March of Dimes donations and walks, to name a few.
TLOD is a national service organization that was charted in the state of Texas on September 8, 1964 as a not-for-profit educational, humanitarian organization. Since its inception, TLOD has expanded its objectives to include Top Teens of America (youth), status of women, senior citizens, community beautification and community partnerships. All chapters support the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Sickle Cell Disease awareness and UNCF.
