By Judy Carmack Bross
L-R Members of the Junior League of Chicago’s Annual Gala Committee: Jessica Rosenauer, Kim Ternan, Merritt McClayton Rahilly, Junior League of Chicago Annual Gala Chair, and Alli Stent
It seemed exactly right that Women’s History month in Chicago kicked off with a sold-out Junior League of Chicago celebration that raised funds to support its mission of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. The St. Regis Chicago event, Chaired by Merritt McClayton Rahilly, raised over $150,000 and brought out 250 guests for the powerhouse organization which had one of Chicago’s most impactful leaders, Jane Addams, as an early advisor, and encourages lasting leadership today.
L-R Amy Maslar, Aqueelah Clark, and Sarah Kimmer pose on the dance floor
Past Presidents Ruth Gallagher Nelson (left), Delane Heldt, and Francis Harrington with current Junior League President Kristin Bernhard second from left.
President Kristin Bernhard explained its continuing community results:
“Since 1912, the Junior League of Chicago has worked diligently to empower at-risk families—especially women and girls through hands-on mentoring, advocacy and education. Annually, the Junior League of Chicago donates over 40,000 volunteer hours to over 30 community agencies and programs that support women and children across their three pillars of Literacy, Violence Prevention and Awareness, and Meeting Essential Needs.”
L-R JLC members and guests Kamaria Campbell, Nikki Swafford and Guest, and Beth Riney enjoyed a delicious three course dinner
L-R Past Junior League of Chicago Presidents Delane Heldt and Francia Harrington raise their paddles during the paddle raise
As part of the Gala, the Junior League of Chicago honored five community partners, among the more than 30 non-profits they work with across the Chicago community, with a Wipe the Wishlist award. Over the past year, JLC volunteers provided hundreds of hours of hands-on service to these organizations, and these awards will further expand that investment of service, with an investment towards wiping their wishlists – providing the goods and products these non-profits need to meet the needs of our community.
Staff from the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, Cradles to Crayons, Digs with Dignity and Lincoln Park Community services were honored at the Annual Gala
The five partners, each selected to receive up to $2,000 of goods and products to support their continued partnership with the Junior League of Chicago were: Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center; Cradles to Crayons Chicago; Digs with Dignity; Lincoln Park Community Services; and Share Our Spare.
“We were so thrilled to honor these five deserving organizations and the impact of the Junior League of Chicago at our Annual Gala,” Bernhard said. “Behind the 40,000 hours of impact we have in our community, are 900 women member that the Junior League of Chicago is actively developing as the civic leaders for our city. The good work we do each year is multiplied by the women who are gaining valuable leadership experience who then take that to serve our community in multiple other venues. That is the multiplied effect of impact that the Junior League has had in our city for 112 years.”
L-R Honorary Sustainer Co-hosts of the Junior League of Chicago’s Annual Gala Tracey Lassiter- Levy, Ruth Gallagher Nelson, and Kara Goodbrand
L-R – Marshal Eisenberg, JoAnn Eisenberg, Merritt McClayton Rahilly (Junior League of Chicago Annual Gala Chair), Sean Rahilly, and Laughlin Cutler
Gala Chair Merritt McClayton Rahilly told us more about the gala and herself:
“I had the privilege and honor of being this year’s Gala Chair and want to thank everyone who supported this incredible event. What stands out to me the most about the evening is the fulfilment of the Junior League of Chicago (JLC) mission, to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. As I stole a moment to look around the room, I was in awe of the overwhelming support, interest, charitable spirit, and desire to celebrate and support the JLC mission.
It was by no accident that we landed upon the venue of the St. Regis hotel, the tallest building in the world designed by a female architect. The ballroom is the “Astor” ballroom, Astor Street is where the JLC calls home and the outstanding service provided by the St. Regis reflects the outstanding service JLC members provide to the community through volunteer services.
I am so grateful to be a member of the Junior League of Chicago, an incredible organization fostering growth, connection, and opportunities for likeminded women. The JLC provides women with the toolkit to become successful leaders. I am so fortunate to have met several incredible women and have made great lasting friendships through this organization.
The most impactful and empowering opportunity I have experienced in the JLC was my journey with the Women’s Treatment Center (WTC) committee where I had the opportunity to serve women battling substance abuse, assisting in rehabilitation of these women’s lives as they learned how to create a life worth living. To witness and foster the growth, hope, and watch the fear dissipate in the eyes of these women was something that I will treasure forever. I enjoyed and embraced my work with the WTC, it is a cause near and dear to my heart.
Professionally, I am an Interior Designer, a creative who believes in the power of beautiful interiors to transform daily life. Each project I take on speaks to my client’s own interests and lifestyle. I create functional, colorful, and timeless designs that remain fresh year after year. My aesthetic is classic with a twist, timeless with a hint of edge. I pride myself on attention to detail, obsession with quality and love for all things beautiful.
I live in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and enjoy spending my time with my husband, two-step daughters and dog, Hazel. I am expecting twins in late July and am overjoyed to take on this new adventure.”
For further information about the Junior League of Chicago, visit: jlchicago.org
