First Black Female U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun to Join House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch at Women in Power

CHICAGO, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, March 14th, House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch and Excellence in Bleu will host Women in Power, an annual Women's History Month celebration honoring some of Illinois' most dynamic change makers. Women in Power is designed to encourage, motivate, and inspire women in leadership. This year's program features the first Black female U.S. Senator, Carol Moseley Braun.

"Now is a critical time to celebrate the women who continue to break barriers in Illinois," said Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch. He founded Excellence in Bleu along with former Michigan Speaker Joe Tate and political strategist and advisor, TaQuoya McConnico. "While we are here to honor a powerful and diverse group of women, it is not lost on me that the first Black Speakers of the Illinois and Michigan Houses and the first black woman to lead the Illinois House political arm are highlighting Ambassador Moseley Braun, a woman of many Black firsts who paved the way for us all."

Moseley Braun is one of the most accomplished women in politics, getting her start in the Illinois House of Representatives in 1979. She went on to become a U.S. Senator and Ambassador. In addition to Ambassador Moseley Braun, this year's honorees are Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham, Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza, State Representative Kelly Cassidy, State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke, Alderwoman Pat Dowell, Chicago Sky Co-Owner Nadia Rawlinson, and America Scores Executive Director Kimberly Townsend.

Past Women in Power special honorees include former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and former DNC Chair Minyon Moore.

Women in Power will be held on Friday, March 14 at RPM Seafood [317 N. Clark Street | Chicago] from 1-3 PM. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/WomeninPower2025. Pre-purchased tickets are highly encouraged. Attendees can also RSVP by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This event is closed to the press.

About Excellence in Bleu: Excellence in Bleu is a 501(c)(4) led by political strategist and Executive Director of Democrats for the Illinois House TaQuoya McConnico, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (the first Black Speaker in Illinois history), and former House Speaker Joe Tate (the first Black Speaker in Michigan history).

Black Excellence in Bleu is committed to promoting civic engagement, community outreach, and the advancement of sound fiscal, educational, and economic policies for the common good and welfare of our communities.

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