IDW is a statewide grassroots organization working for more equitable representation and participation of Democrat women in all levels of the Democratic Party and government. Our organization is comprised of mothers, wives, sisters, nurses, teachers, students, firefighters, environmentalists, activists, police officers, and retired women. IDW works to unite this wonderful diversity of devoted women behind one common goal–the support of our Party and the involvement of women in the political process.
History
Now known as Illinois Democratic Women, the Illinois Democratic Women’s Caucus (IDWC) was founded in 1971 by five Illinois women who attended the Women’s Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the Democratic National Committee. The conference encouraged the formation of Democratic women’s groups on a state by state basis to work for full and equal participation by women in party functions. The IDWC had its first statewide convention in November of 1971. In 1983, the Caucus was reorganized and renamed the Illinois Democratic Women.
IDW is an affiliate of the National Federation of Democratic Women, which was formed in October 1971. The Federation has two seats on the Democratic National Committee.
2011-2012 Officers
Jill Morgenthaler (Co-President)
Democrat and retired Army Colonel Jill Morgenthaler is a woman of many firsts. She was one of the first women to enter ROTC and to train as an equal with men. She was the first female company commander in the Army Security Agency Group Korea; she was the first woman battalion commander in the 88th Regional Support Command; and she was the first woman brigade commander in the 84th Division, commanding hundreds of Soldiers across six states.
Morgenthaler worked extensively in command centers in Korea, Berlin, Bosnia, and Iraq; handled disaster recovery during the San Francisco earthquake of 1989 and evacuation operations for Kosovar refugees. She led the entire strategic communications operations for the commanding general in Iraq in 2004. The Army has awarded her the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
In Illinois, she was the first woman to lead homeland security. As the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety and Homeland Security Advisor, Morgenthaler was responsible for directing Illinois homeland security operations for the state. She provided guidance to Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Terrorism Task Force, Illinois National Guard, and other agencies to ensure that all levels of government work together for the prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery from natural disasters or terrorist incidents.
Morgenthaler has been a life-long Democrat. In 2006, she joined the Illinois Democratic Women. In 2008, Morgenthaler ran unsuccessfully for US Congress as the Democratic candidate against incumbent and extremist Peter Roskam. In 2010, Morgenthaler ran for and was elected co-president of the Illinois Democratic Women. The Republican Party has wreaked havoc on the economy, undermined the education system, crippled science and technology, and attacked equal pay for women, healthcare for women, and choice for women. She is dedicated to fighting for children, Seniors, Labor brothers and sisters, Veterans, minorities, and women. Morgenthaler is committed to moving our nation and our state forward, not backwards.
Pam Monetti (Co-President)
Pam Monetti is Co-President for Illinois Democratic Women. She worked as a staff assistant for former Congressman Phil Hare, overseeing his Carlinville District Office. A Summa cum laude graduate of University of Illinois-Springfield with a degree in Political Science, Monetti has been involved in politics for over twenty years serving as precinct committeeperson, the Lady Chair for the Macoupin County Democratic Party
and a member of the Macoupin County Democratic Women’s Organization.
Monetti, who resides in Bunker Hill with her husband, Dave, has two children, Kristina and Michael. She served on the Bunker Hill Board of Education for 12 years, serving for six years as President. She has been active in many community volunteer projects, served on the 7th Circuit Judicial Screening Committee, is President of the Bunker Hill Education Foundation, and spearheaded the fundraising for the 2007 Sen. Deanna Demuzio campaign.
Jamie Crain (1st Vice President)
Jamie Crain is the 1st Vice President of IDW. She is currently a Senior Account Executive at Jasculca Terman and Associates, where she handles public affairs and strategic communications. She has facilitated the development of high-quality communication and outreach strategies ranging from message and materials content development to creating and managing marketing and advertising campaigns, community and legislative outreach, media relations and social media activities.
Prior to joining JT, Jamie served as Deputy Campaign Manager for Dan Seals’ successful 2010 Primary Election campaign, where she developed and implemented robust field and communication strategies while assisting in the overall management of the campaign.
For nearly three years, Jamie worked for Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan’s House Democratic Staff where she last served as a Regional Coordinator for the Issues Development Unit. While on staff, she developed and managed legislative agendas and communication strategies for three targeted House members from across the state. In addition to managing the In-District Program, Jamie staffed the Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, Railroad Industry Committee and the Bi-Partisan Task Force on Government Reform and Spending Reductions in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Jamie has also managed several political campaigns across the state for the Democratic Party of Illinois, where she ran vigorous field, communications and fundraising programs. She also serves on the Executive Board of Lakefront Progressive Network 44, a progressive organization located on the north side of Chicago.
Jamie earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from University of Illinois at Springfield.
Laura Fletcher (2nd Vice President)
Laura Fletcher is currently the 2nd Vice President of the Illinois Democratic Women. Prior to being elected 2nd VP, Laura was the Membership Chair where she established the role of Regional Chair. The purpose of this role is to promote IDW in their assigned area. Laura was able to recruit women throughout the state and the role continues to generate much interest. Laura is also the Vice President, Union Liaison, past Training and Education Chair, and one of the founding members of the Democratic Women of DuPage County. She is a proud member of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership class of 2010. Laura was the DuPage Coordinator for Robin Kelly’s run for Illinois State Treasurer in 2010 and has volunteered for numerous campaigns on the local, state, and federal level. She is a past Chair for the Democratic Party of Wayne Township and Union Liaison for the Democratic Party of DuPage County. Her day job is as a Principal Technical Writer for a large computer software company.
Kim Savage (Membership Chair)
Kim Savage, who was born and raised in Lemont, attending the village’s public grade and High Schools, now resides in Darien. Savage earned a degree in mathematics at North Central College in Naperville. She has a Master of Education in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, with a minor in Business Administration. She has over 30 years of experience in the public sector with a proven record of leadership and creative problem solving.
Currently, Savage is serving a six year term on the College of DuPage Board of Trustees. Elected in 2009, Savage sought to extend her advocacy for higher education by sharing her experience to benefit the community college district. She was also recently appointed to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Prior to becoming Membership Chair of the Illinois Democratic Women, active roles with the Democratic Party included Downers Grove Township Democratic Organization Chair and Democratic Women of DuPage County President, as well as more than 10 years as a Precinct Committeeman. Savage has served the Democratic Party as a candidate for State Representative and for Township Trustee. She has also assisted on many local and statewide political campaigns.
Savage retired in 2011 from her position as Assessment Program Coordinator and Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UIC. In 1996 she received the Chancellor’s Award of Merit from the University of Illinois in Chicago and received the Campus Union Board President’s Award of Excellence from the University in 2000. Savage has been included in multiple editions of Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who Among College and University Students in the United States.
Savage regularly volunteers at the Lemont Area Historical Society where she is a life member. She also has served on the Board of Directors for the 1000+ member Alford American Family Association.
Jamie Graves (Youth Coordinator)
Jamie currently serves as the IDW Youth Coordinator. She joined Jasculca Terman and Associates, Inc. in 2007 and during her tenure at the firm has led outreach initiatives, developed strategic messaging, coordinated grassroots campaigns and fostered communication efforts on behalf of diverse clients in the corporate, government and nonprofit sector. She creates comprehensive communication and outreach strategies ranging from message and materials development to coalition-building; integrating digital tools and tactics, including website management and social media activities, to align public affairs and media relations strategies with the clients’ goals.
Jamie joined the firm after gaining considerable management, community development and grassroots communications experience as a lead program coordinator for the Chicago Federation of Labor Workers Assistance Committee. While there, she developed strategic outreach initiatives and established contractual partnerships with numerous government organizations. She also served as the Chicago Federation of Labor Campaign Field Director in the 42nd Ward during the 2007 aldermanic race. In this role, she was responsible for the development and implementation of political activities in support of working families in Chicago.
Jamie is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history with a focus on Latin American and U.S. race relations and a minor in African American studies. Jamie received her master’s degree in human service administration from Bradley University. She is also a published author, her work appearing in the 2008 Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society.