The Downers Grove Historical Society has awarded Mary Ellen Young the 2024 Montrew Dunham Award. This award was created in 2019 to honor those whose significant service and contributions to the Village of Downers Grove have earned them a place in its history, following in the footsteps of noted teacher, author, historian, and community volunteer, Montrew Dunham.
Young’s contributions to the Village of Downers Grove have been in the areas of promoting quality education, adolescent and teen mental health, and supporting philanthropies and other worthy causes.
Young was elected to the DuPage County Regional Board of School Trustees, and was appointed to the DuPage County Anti-Bullying Task Force where she co-chaired the “Best Practices” Committee. She is the co-author of “Elements for Girls” which focuses on social-emotional skill development. She is also the co-founder of Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence, which has since transitioned to “Navigate Adolescence” providing support and guidance to both boys and girls. She chairs the Grove Foundation, which raises substantial funds to give back to the community. Visit https://dghistory.org/mary-ellen-young/ for a detailed biography.
