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.

2024 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.

2023-2024 Woman's Board

Officers:

President:

Mrs. Colette Cachey Smithburg

1st Vice President:

Mrs. Karen McEniry

2nd Vice President:

Mrs. Cynthia Chereskin

Recording Secretary:

Mrs. Susie Glikin

Corresponding Secretary:

Mrs. Wilbur H. Gantz*

Treasurer:

Mrs. Charlene Huang Olson*

Assistant Treasurer:

Mrs. Betsy Bradley

2024 Summer Ball Co-chairs:

Mrs. Ellen L. O’Connor* and Mrs. Elizabeth O’Connor Cole

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. Caroline Gantz Burns

Mrs. Lenore Cameron

Ms. Lindsay Walter Carlton

Mrs. Lester Crown

Mrs. Robert J. Darnall

Mrs. Jacqueline Ferro*

Mrs. Denise Gibson

Mrs. Aimee Gray

Mrs. Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel*

Mrs. Jack M. Greenberg

Mrs. John W. Higgins*

Mrs. Jenni Sorenson Holmes

Mrs. Whitney Huffsmith

Mrs. Richard H. Lenny*

Mrs. Judy Loseff

Mrs. Melissa McNally

Mrs. Kate Melman

Mrs. Shawna H. Owen

Mrs. Homi B. Patel*

Mrs. Jerry K. Pearlman*

Mrs. Tanya Polsky

Mrs. Corinne Richman

Mrs. Cecelia Ricketts

Mrs. E. Scott Santi

Mrs. Ellen Saslow

Mrs. Maureen Linnan Sippel

Mrs. Barbara A. Speer

Mrs. Neele E. Stearns Jr.*

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. Dale R. Machalleck*

Mrs. Mimi Murley

Mrs. William A. Osborn
Mrs. Harold Reskin
Mrs. Bernard Rinella
Mrs. Phillip B. Rooney
Mrs. W. Jay Sennott*
Mrs. Edward R. Weed

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

*Past President
†Deceased