Homewood attorney Cathe R. Evans Williams is an author, a speaker, a certified family mediator and a certified collaborative law attorney.
And as of Feb. 12, she is the winner of the South Suburban Small Business Association (SSSBA) Summit Award for Small Business Excellence.
Williams, originally from Joliet, was recognized at the organization’s annual awards breakfast at Idlewild Country Club in Flossmoor.
Joyce Bussema, who received the excellence award in 2019, introduced Wiliams, noting among her accomplishments that she is the author of “Divorce For Ladies, Not For Losers: A Women’s Guide For a Healthy Not Harmful Journey,” and is the founder of The Women’s Team, which helps women make smart relationship decisions.
“’Integrity’ appears often in Evans Williams’ business promise, as does ‘to provide sound legal representation,’” Bussema said. “To accomplish this, and to ensure a well-run business, she has hired a strong team of four attorneys and three support staff.”
“There’s no way I would be standing up here by myself if I did not have a great team and a great family to support me,” Evans Williams said after accepting the award.
She introduced members of her staff who were present, including Christian Fuller, Krystal Young, Stephanie Wiersma, Melissa Finger, Matthew Ingram and Christopher Barr.
She offered special thanks to her husband, Daniel Williams.
Her approach to her work, she said, is to give all she can.
“You are supposed to provide,” she said. “What God has given you, you give. It’s not for you to keep and hide.”
There was also a special recognition at the event of the late James Turnbo of Flossmoor, a financial advisor and long-time supporter of SSSBA. Eugene Varnado and Gwendolyn Kirkland offered remembrances of Turnbo, who died in November 2019.
“Jim was funny and he liked to laugh,” Kirkland said. “I will miss my friend, my brother and my colleague.”
Other Summit Award winners recognized at the event included Tasha Brown for economic development; Vernon Reed for training; Grand Prairie Choral Arts, represented by Jerry Schnay, for creative arts; Ronyae Spearmon, young entrepreneur; and Angelo McCaskle Jr., honorable mention.
The training award was presented by Homewood businessman Larry Kane, owner of Jonathan Kane Salon & Spa, who won the award in 2019.