Class of 2010

Gigi Callaway

Georgiann “Gigi” Callaway grew up in the western suburbs.  She grew up with strong family values and strong beliefs in God and country.  She graduated Lyons Township High School and less than a year later she felt a duty to serve her Country in the United States Navy.  In 1981 she married and five years later became a mother to her only child.  In 1983 she graduated from City Colleges of Chicago’s branch located on a military site in South Carolina, with honors.  She later attended University of LaVerne where she studied Psychology.  In 1997, after twenty years in military, she decided to retire.  Her military decorations include: National Defense Service Medal, Battle “E” Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal [Personal], Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal (with one star), Good Conduct Medal (with four stars), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with two stars), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Antarctic Service Medal, Expert Pistol Medal and Gold Wreath Award (with one star).  Upon returning home, she began her civilian career in Human Resources and became actively involved in politics.   

Gigi started her civilian career as the first female executive at Fulton Industries as Human Resources Director.  She decided to expand her portfolio that took her career to Cook County Provident Hospital Human Resources.  There she worked in labor relations and corporate compliance.  She is currently an Analyst for Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica. 

Community service and membership has always been part of her life’s work.  She has been a former Crisis Hot Line Counselor, Past President and Vice President of PHPS-PTA, 1999 – 2000 Vice President IDSA (Illinois Delegation Suburban Association), 2000 – 2003 Director of St. Joseph High School Hockey Team, 2003 – 2004 Vice President of St. Joseph High School Hockey Team, and current member of American Legion, Robert E Coulter, Jr., Post 1941.   

A passion for politics and public service has had her serve as Deputy State Central Committeeman (Third Congressional District), Republican Organization of Lyons Township (R.O.L.T.) Coordinator -Women’s League, ROLT Deputy Committeeman, Election Judge Coordinator, Member of the LaGrange Park Caucus, Former Deputy Committeeman, Proviso Township, and served in a leadership role on the 2009 Cook County Republican Party Convention Committee.    Additionally, she recently received ROLT’s Committeeman’s Award for “Distinguished Leadership 2009”.

  “I am a proud Republican and honored to be named to the Lincoln Series.  I am a firm believer in the enhancement of women in government.  It is my contention the softer gender no longer waits to be heard but desires to be heard as vibrant voices of their communities.  My primary goal is and will continue to be to rally the women into the political spotlight arena.  It is through encouragement, character building, creating and participating in different types of forums such as the Lincoln Series; the goal can be fulfilled.  The time for strong leaders and sharp minds to emerge in the Republican Party has never been better.  Thank you for the opportunity to be selected for class of 2010 Illinois Lincoln Excellence in Public Service Series.”