The Women’s Jewelry Association – Midwest Chapter honoured five distinguished women at the occasion of its Annual WJA - Midwest Chapter Annual Membership Celebration. The event took place on May 12, 2009, at Chicago’s Cliff Dwellers Club.

The winners: Kate Hammond of Trabert & Hoeffer, Chicago, was honoured as the Rising Star for 2009; Mila Samokhina, La Mila, Inc., as New Entrepreneur of 2009; Ruth Thuston, director of CIRCA, Chicago, and Julie Schwalbe, owner of Forever Facets, Inc., in Decatur, IL, were both presented with the Woman Making a Difference Award; Denise Hartman of N. Green and Sons in Chicago was recognised as the national 2009 Shining Star Award recipient and Ida Oiring Lessman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing over 75 years of dedicated work to the jewellery industry. Ida had entered working in her father’s diamond business at a time when women were not seen in business areas. She has earned the name “Eagle Eye” and at over 90 years, she continues to work four days a week.

The Women’s Jewelry Association embraces women in all walks of their careers and is committed to promoting networking, mentorship, and career advancement.