Woman’s Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago

Since the end of World War II, the Woman’s Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago has proven to be a powerful force in Chicago’s philanthropic community. The members of the Woman’s Board are strongly committed to the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, funding programs across all Chicago-area Clubs. They also embrace a hands-on approach, volunteering their time at the Clubs and offering unique opportunities for Club members to enjoy the best of Chicago’s arts and culture through the Share Chicago program as well as provide our Club members with Woman’s Board Scholarships.

By the Numbers

History

Summer Ball

The iconic Summer Ball has ushered in Chicago’s gala season since 1952. As the city’s oldest black-tie gala, it serves as a model for other nonprofit events.

Co-Chairs Ellen O'Connor (left) and Elizabeth O’Connor Cole (right), and Woman's Board President Colette Cachey Smithburg (center) at the 75th Annual Summer Ball.

2025 Woman's Board Summer Ball Page

Media Highlights on the Woman's Board

Outreach

Scholarships

Members of the Woman’s Board firmly believe that support for Chicago’s underserved youth should not end at high school graduation. Each year, the Board’s Scholarship Committee awards four to six scholarships. The Ann Milligan Gray Scholarship is also awarded. To date, these scholarship programs have awarded more than 100 scholarships, totaling more than $4.5 million in funding. They are continuing to expand this support to meet the ambitions and increasing needs of our hardworking and dedicated youth.

Share Chicago

Despite their proximity to downtown Chicago, many of our Club youth rarely have the opportunity to explore the city’s greatest treasures. Funding of this program provides transportation, meals, and admission to many of Chicago’s landmarks, including the Art Institute, the Mayor’s Office, and the Skydeck at Willis Tower. Other unique partnerships have included visits with PAWS, The Harris Theater for Music and Dance, ITW, The Joffrey Ballet, and many others. The Woman's Board has been delighted to offer these special experiences so the youth can see a world outside of their neighborhood and discover all of the incredible opportunities their city has to offer.

2024-2025 Woman's Board

President:

Mrs. Karen McEniry

1st Vice President:

Mrs. Betsy Bradley

2nd Vice President:

Mrs. Jenni Sorenson Holmes

Recording Secretary:

Ms. Lindsay Walter Carlton

Corresponding Secretary:

Mrs. Kelly Rosen Lagrange

Treasurer:

Mrs. Caroline Gantz Burns

Assistant Treasurer:

Mrs. Charlene Huang Olson*

2025 Summer Ball Co-Chairs:

Mrs. Kelly Rosen Lagrange

Mrs. Kate Melman

Current Board Members:

Mrs. William Adams IV

Mrs. Laura Ferris Anderson

Mrs. Lisa K. Aronin

Ms. Diana Barr

Mrs. Katie Berger

Mrs. Carol Lavin Bernick

Mrs. Meredith Bluhm-Wolf

Mrs. Norman R. Bobins*

Mrs. Lenore Cameron

Mrs. Andrea Chadwick

Mrs. Cynthia Chereskin

Mrs. Elizabeth O’Connor Cole

Mrs. Lester Crown

Mrs. Robert J. Darnall

Mrs. Jacqueline Ferro*

Mrs. Wilbur H. Gantz*

Mrs. Denise Fogus Gibson

Mrs. Susie Glikin

Mrs. Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel*

Mrs. Jack M. Greenberg

Mrs. John W. Higgins*

Mrs. Whitney Huffsmith

Ms. Judy Loseff

Mrs. Melissa McNally

Mrs. Jill Alberts Mills

Mrs. Ellen L. O’Connor*

Mrs. Shawna H. Owen

Mrs. Jerry K. Pearlman*

Mrs. Tanya Polsky

Mrs. Corinne Richman

Mrs. Cecelia Ricketts

Mrs. Nancy S. Santi

Mrs. Ellen Saslow

Mrs. Maureen Linnan Sippel

Mrs. Colette Cachey Smithburg*

Mrs. Barbara A. Speer

Mrs. Lisbeth C. Stiffel

Mrs. James E. Stoller

Mrs. Robin Loewenberg Tebbe*

Mrs. Corinne White Troise

Mrs. John R. Walter*

Mrs. Beth White*

Honorary Members:

Mrs. Beaumont Atwater†
Mrs. K. Dane Brooksher*
Mrs. J. Ira Harris
Mrs. Harold D. Jensen
Mrs. Donald G. Kempf Jr.*

Mrs. Richard H. Lenny*
Mrs. Dale R. Machalleck*

Mrs. Mimi Murley

Mrs. William A. Osborn

Mrs. Homi B. Patel*
Mrs. Harold Reskin
Mrs. Bernard Rinella
Mrs. Phillip B. Rooney
Mrs. W. Jay Sennott*†

Mrs. Neele E. Stearns Jr.*
Mrs. Edward R. Weed

Mrs. Miles D. White†
Mrs. Clayton E. Whiting*

*Past President
†Deceased