Judy Baar Topinka

Judy Baar Topinka Charitable Foundation

Honors and Awards

Letter From Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot

We received a wonderful letter from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office recognizing Judy’s efforts for the LGBTQ community.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR: CITY OF CHICAGO

Lori Lightfoot Letter

LORI E. LIGHTFOOT: MAYOR

March 17, 2021

Mr. Joseph Baar Topinka

Dear Mr. Topinka:

On behalf of the City of Chicago, I extend heartfelt gratitude to you for accepting this award on behalf of Judy Baar Topinka. It is an honor to welcome her into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.

Judy Baar Topinka was a true friend to the LGBT community. During her time in the Illinois House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate, and as Illinois State Treasurer she fought for gay rights, supported the Illinois Marriage Equality Bill, opened her office to the Equality Illinois’ delegation during the group’s lobby days, and much more. She broke down barriers for generations and her legacy will always live on.

I am proud to welcome Judy Baar Topinka into this year’s distinguished Hall of Fame class.

View the letter

Meaghan Hart | CAHME Awards Program

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is proud to announce the winners of the 6th Annual CAHME Awards Program.

Meaghan Hart, MHA Candidate (Johns Hopkins University) is the recipient of the 2021CAHME/Judy Baar Topinka Foundation Scholarship.

To learn more about the CAHME Awards, join us at our virtual booth during the ACHE Congress from March 22-25, 2021, or visit us at CAHME.ORG.

CAHME Full Page Ad 2021

100 Years of Newspapering

Medill School Newspaper
Professor Charles Barnum, in suit coat, talks with students in the editing laboratory of the Medill School of Journalism on May 15, 1959. Instructor Roy Campbell is standing in back. (Leonard Bartholomew / Chicago Tribune)

Most people do not know that Judy was an award winning journalist who graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism.

Here is an article about her School of Journalism.

CAHME is Now Accepting Nominations for the 2021 Awards

CAHME Communications

The sixth annual CAHME awards are NOW open to all CAHME-accredited programs and Certified Healthcare Quality and Safety programs. We are grateful to our partners for their support of CAHME’s mission to advance the quality of healthcare management education.

Judy Baar Topinka CAHME

Once again we are proud to sponsor The CAHME/Judy Baar Topinka Foundation Scholarship for Health Policy is named in memory Judy Baar Topinka, who dedicated herself to a lifetime of public service to the people of the State of Illinois. This year, the award recognizes a student who served the community around COVID-19. The winning student will receive $2,000.

Other scholarships include

Winners will be announced in coordination with ACHE at their annual Congress on March 21, 2021, and will be featured in Modern Healthcare magazine (our exclusive media partner) in a full page placement. The deadline for applications is November 12, 2020 at 5:00 PM EST. Send completed applications to Dana Alexander, CAHME Administrative Resident, at dalexander@cahme.org.

Judy Baar Topinka to be Honored by Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame

Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Announces 2020 Inductees

Judy Baar Topinka to be named “Friend of the Community” (Posthumous) in Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame Virtual 2020 Ceremony on October 13, 2020

The late Judy Baar Topinka was there for the LGBTQ community when that community was only a blip on the political radar screen.  She supported the LGBTQ causes when it was politically risky for anyone…Democrat or Republican or whomever…to be associated with the movement.  The fact that she did so as a Republican showed an incredible amount of political courage.  During an interview she even stated “I will put my LGBT credentials up against ANYBODY – I was supporting this before it was fashionable.  And as a Republican, when we have a whole sector of our party that doesn’t really care for this stuff….”

Judy Baar Topinka was not only supportive in words, she was supportive in her actions.  For example, she supported the Illinois’ Marriage Equality Bill.  During a November 20, 2013 ceremony at the University of Illinois at Chicago where the state’s marriage equality bill was signed into law, Judy Baar Topinka — the only Republican speaker at the event — delivered a moving speech and even stated that “it takes both parties to make something happen and when we work together, look what we can do!” 

Judy Baar Topinka Equity Speech – Nov. 20, 2013

During the speech, she further stated that she would offer to be a flower girl “and will even waive the fee” at any upcoming same-sex weddings.  Another example was how she opened her office to Equality Illinois’ delegation on the groups annual Springfield lobbying days.  Still another example was her perennial attendance at Chicago’s Pride Parade and Equality Illinois’ annual galas. 

In summary, one longtime LGBT rights activist put it best when he said Judy Baar Topinka was “a consistent and firm supporter of gay rights.  Even when attacked by members of her own party for her gay-rights support, she never wavered.”

She was truly a friend of the LGBTQ community.

See the Announcement
The Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame