Sandy Benson (center), AAUW Naperville Area 2017 Woman of the Year, with AAUW Naperville Area Co-Presidents Elaine Fisher (left) and Becky Glimco

Our 2017 AAUW Naperville Area Woman of the Year fits the title very well. Sandy Benson recently retired after 25 years with the Community and Government Relations Department of Edward Hospital. In addition she has served on many area nonprofit organizations and boards. Her dedication to Naperville is clear from her participation in the Naperville Public Library board, Naperville Rotary Club, Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center, 2000 Naperville Citizen Police Academy, numerous school district foundations and committees, Benedictine University Business Advisory Board, Naper Settlement Museum Board and her church.

In her role with the Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center, Sandy channeled her passion for women’s mental health issues to found the Silent Samaritans Program.  The motto of “women helping women” sums up this program that raises funds to ensure that every woman who comes to the Samaritan Network seeking help, regardless of her ability to pay, will be served.  Sandy has chaired this program for nine years and continues to be instrumental in raising funds for women and children to receive subsidized mental health counseling.