Chicago Defender hosts 'Women of Excellence' awards; 'Mother' Wade honored for lifetime achievement

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Defender hosted its 2024 Women of Excellence awards ceremony Friday night.

Josephine " Mother" Wade received a lifetime achievement award at the event.

The ceremony inducted 50 women with the prestigious award.

Wade has had a profound influence on Chicago's South Side, and not just because of her soul food cooking. She has owned Josephine's Southern Cooking in Chatham for decades.

"Mother" Wade joined ABC7 Chicago Friday morning to talk more about the award and her business.

Josephine Wade, the owner of Josephine's Southern Cooking in Chatham, will be honored with a Women of Excellence award by the Chicago Defender.

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"(The award) means an awful lot to me," she said.

Josephine's Southern Cooking is located at 436 E. 79th St.

Friday night's event is at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. The event is sold out.

ABC7 Chicago's Leah Hope is one of the emcees.