"Bad Girls Gone Good"

The above quote was uttered by one of the graduates in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Rosemary Grant Higgins'  yesterday where I had the privilege to observe the graduation of the women in her WINGS (Women in Need of Gender Specific Services) program. This 2 1/2 year old program was designed to help women convicted of felony prostitution by helping them get housing, take care of their children, deal with their addictions and increase their self-esteem, with the help of many social service organizations in Chicago. She ruefully pointed out the connection between domestic violence and prostitution. At the end of the proceedings, Judge Higgins announced to the 10 ladies in attendance-13 more graduates were absent because they were either at jobs or in school, that A Night Out, Inc. was giving them a graduation present of a night at Bliss Spa. There was loud cheering all around when the women heard, followed by hugs and grateful appreciation.