Manley Congratulates Stiff, Rouse for Philanthropy Awards

JOLIET, Ill. – State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, congratulates Michelle Stiff and Dr. Theresa Rouse for earning the National Hook-up of Black Women Philanthropy Recognition Award. Rouse was the only person to receive a second Philanthropy Recognition Award, which was given by the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.

“Michelle Stiff and Dr. Theresa Rouse are both exemplary women, and strong role models for our students,” Rep. Manley said. “Both have dedicated their careers to bettering the lives of young people. It is no surprise that they were selected to receive such prestigious awards.”

Stiff is currently the Director of the Workforce Center of Will County. She has served on the Joliet Township High School Board since 2019. She is a long-standing special education teacher, who became a student services coordinator for Joliet School District 86 for four years. Stiff is running for Will County Clerk in the 2026 election.

Rouse has been the Superintendent of Joliet School District 86 for 11 years. She oversees nearly 10,000 students at 21 schools. She has been a Superintendent for a total of sixteen years and has thirteen years of experience working in the County Office of Education system in California.  She was also a classroom teacher for ten years in three states and one foreign country.

Rouse has announced that she will not seek to renew her contract with District 86, which will expire in 2027. Instead, she is running for the Will County Regional Office of Education.

The women received the awards at the 2nd Annual Philanthropy Recognition Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Arkas Restaurant Group, which includes Rosemary Cafe, 158 Chop House, Juliet’s Tavern, Mousaka Greek Taverna, Hamburgerseria, and the Renaissance Center.

Featured: Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy (center) awarded Michelle Stiff (left) and Dr. Theresa Rouse (right) their Philanthropy Recognition Awards at the Joliet Renaissance Center. Stiff and Rouse received awards from the National Hook-up of Black Women. Rouse was the only recipient to receive two awards, the second from Greater Joliet Area YMCA.