BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS
One of the world’s most influential women returns to Chicago, where she worked almost 60 years ago as a picture editor for Encyclopedia Britannica. The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center honors Dr. Madeleine Albright, international diplomat and the first female Secretary of State, on May 3.
Graff 22.52 carat oval-cut diamond ring with heart-shape shoulders; Diamonds 26.53cts.
Over 75 guests gathered recently for an elegant cocktail party at GRAFF on Oak Street to officially launch the 24th Annual Spring Luncheon where Dr. Albright, who received the Presidential Medal of Honor from President Obama, will be the keynote speaker.
When her former husband, Joseph Medill Patterson Albright, stepson of the Chicago artist Ivan Albright and nephew of publisher Alicia Patterson, was a reporter at the Sun Times, the couple lived in Chicago for a short time.
As a nod to Dr. Albright’s love of pins, some very special jewels were flown in from GRAFF’s London headquarters for the occasion, including a butterfly brooch featuring over 40 carats of diamonds.
Eve Rogers, Graff Diamonds Director.
Welcoming guests were Eve Rogers, Director of GRAFF Chicago, together with Debra Beck, President of the Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center, and Spring Luncheon co-chairs Lindsey Axel and Kate Mursau. GRAFF is the patron sponsor of the event.
Samatha Schwalm and Debra Beck.
Merrick and Lindsey Axel.
Kristin Koepfgen tries on a pair of diamond earrings.
Jessica Muinzer and Colby Gaines.
Funds raised by the 2018 Spring Luncheon at the Ritz Carlton will be directed to the numerous outreach programs supported by The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center including its 2018 principal project, the Rush Education and Career Hub, or REACH, an innovative education and workforce development program.
In the next decade, the need for health care professionals will grow substantially, but especially in low-income communities, low numbers of students qualify to gain advanced skills and access to those careers. Through mentorship, job shadowing, and internship programming, REACH positions high school and college students in Chicago’s diverse West Side communities for job success in the health care industry.
Martin Beck and Beth Lopez, Graff Diamonds Office Manager.
Kate Mursau shows off a Graff ring.
Eve Rogers and Buffy Maier.
Monica Thomas.
Debra Beck, Lindsey Axel, Kate Mursau, and Eve Rogers.
Stuart Mesires and Julia Pesek.
Kate Holland, Candace Jordan, Lisa Goldfayn, Kim Shortsle, and Kate Mursau.
Dr. Quenby Erickson and James Janikowski.
Lisa Goldfayn, Kate Holland, and Kim Shortsle leave with some Graff goodies.
For more information, please visit thewomansboard.org or contact the Woman’s Board office at (312) 942-6513.
Photo credit: Rush Photo Group
