By Judy Carmack Bross
Michelle Nelson takes a signature Palmer House Brownie from the Ferris Wheel
When arriving guests saw the top-hatted bicyclist pedaling over with bottles of wine on a Gilded Age bike, they knew that the Woman’s Board of RUSH University Medical Center’s Co-Chairs Meg Leydon and Kerri Schoonyoung had planned an evening that victoriously re-imagined the innovation and imagination of the World’s Fair of 1893.
Benefit Co-Chairs Kerri Schoonyoung and Meg Leydon
The Palmer House Hilton, itself a Gilded Age creation and a gift from Potter Palmer to his wife Bertha, the undisputed queen of the World’s Fair, invented the brownie which also were peddled around the newly restored ballroom at the end of the dazzling “Night in the White City”. Further fun surprises that night: a hot air balloon-inspired basket filled with Cracker Jacks, Juicy Fruit gum and milk chocolate, all products that first appeared at the Columbian Exposition, perhaps the greatest world’s fair of all which Chicago was able to create just 20 years after the great fire
destroyed most of our city.
Mary Anne and Burr Martin and Melissa Hennessy with the wine bicycle
Dr. Omar Lateef, Marletta Darnall (seated), Christina Dickerson, Carole Segal, Woman’s Board president Wendy Herb, Karen Reid (seated), and Dr. David Ansell
Pete and Read Lanctot, Emily and Chris Sturgess, and Paige and Reid Spearin
Nearly 175 guests gathered to raise funds for the RUSH University Medical Center’s education, research and community service programs, as well as The Woman’s Board Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at RUSH, which will provide sustainable endowment support to drive innovations in research, novel treatments, effective health care solutions and ongoing organizational growth for the medical center.
Lindsey Kircher and Drew Smith
Megan and Brad Smith
Co-chairs Meg Leydon and Kerri Schoonyoung told us that they chose the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair as the theme for the evening because the Fair’s legacy of overcoming challenges, inspiring hope and innovating for the future – all of which echo RUSH’s mission of transforming healthcare.
Julie Jahn, Freeman’s Hindman’s Alyssa Quinlan, Kim Frezados
Stephanie Poole-Byrd and Bradley Byrd
Décor and silent auction items for the evening were also inspired by inventions and innovations that debuted at the World’s Fair. In addition, Freeman’s Hindman presented dazzling vintage jewelry and original photos from the personal collection of the Fair’s chief architect Daniel Burnham were also at auction along with a one-of-a-kind Mahjong set, the game that swept the States a few years after the Fair, from Tigre de Tartán.
Swope and Maxie Clarke in front of silent auction items
Mentalist Sidney Friedman wowed guests with this blend of magic and telepathy, a clever nod to one of the world’s most famous magicians Harry Houdini who made his debut in an act with his brother on the Fair’s Midway in 1893.
Mentalist Sidney Friedman stuns the Fall Benefit guests
Cindy and Kurt Mancillas
In her speech that evening, co-chair Kerri Schoonyoung shared stories of the profound impact RUSH has had on people’s lives,
“For more than 180 years, RUSH has become known for medical innovations and cutting-edge clinical research. A high school football star diagnosed with rare bone cancer who went onto a career in the NFL, thanks to his treatments at RUSH. A mother whose team at RUSH treated the advanced heart failure she suffered as a result of breast cancer chemotherapy, thereby saving her life and allowing her to resume her active lifestyle.
“With the generous support from The Woman’s Board and people in the audience tonight, RUSH continues to make a difference in people’s lives and our communities.”
Co-chair Meg Leydon echoed Kerri’s sentiments, while also celebrating the work of The Woman’s Board and its leadership:
“We are all here tonight to help ensure that RUSH can continue to drive medical innovation, train the next generation of medical professionals and educate the public on health matters while bringing together diverse communities. This year’s theme of the White City came to life because of the hard work over the past year by the Fall Benefit Committee, and also thanks to Woman’s Board president Wendy Herb’s leadership and tireless dedication. The Woman’s Board has raised well over $5 million dollars over the past few years, and it’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to raise funds for such an incredible organization.”
Sarah Alshouse, Meg Erickson, Tiffany Erickson, Emily Reynolds
The evening concluded with guests dancing the night away to Chicago’s own True Blue Band, and a brownie for the road.
Patrick Hendricks, Jaleesa Scott, Adam Skaf, and Billy Dishuk
Paul and Joan Rubschlager, with Dr. Omar Lateef
