CARBONDALE - In a Southern Illinois town where the university serves as a center for the community, a woman deserving of a lasting memorial will be honored by the American Association of University Women.

The Carbondale branch of the AAUW will celebrate today as the first Jane Addams Day in Illinois.

Addams is the first woman to be recognized annually with an official day after action by the Illinois legislature.

"Jane Addams was actually a member of the AAUW out of the Chicago branch," explained board member Bonnie Heidinger of Carbondale. "It's a project of the Illinois AAUW. We got all the branches to celebrate the day."

Addams was also the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Addams became well known for establishing the Hull House in Chicago and bridging the gender gap in the settlement movement. The Hull House helped new immigrants become acclimated to America.

A special program will be presented by Cindy Vines at a celebration event scheduled for tonight. Vines and her students at Dongola Grade School initiated the effort to have a state holiday named for women. It was her class who also chose Jane Addams.

An AAUW program will take place tonight at 7:30 at the faculty building, located on the Southern Illinois University campus at 1000 S. Elizabeth in Carbondale.

"The teacher, Cindy Vines, will be our speaker at our AAUW program," explained former president of the group, Lelia Marvin of Carbondale. "I think she will have one of the students with her who worked on the project, as well. Our branch was supportive of them all the way through the legislative action. That is what she is going to talk about."

Marvin said the work done by the students taught them about civic action and getting something done that is worth merit.

The former president noted that the event is open to the public and will also include a 7 p.m. social time before the program.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com/351-5824