By Judy Carmack Bross
Preservation Forward, the Landmarks Illinois gala honoring seven women Influencers in the field, raised $740,000 for its able advocacy advancements. The 101-year-old Old Post Office, which the 50-year-old group helped save, was the scene of the merrymaking, described below by long-time board member Anne Voshel.
“This is an event for the future… food stations with plenty of time for mingling — opportunities to catch up with old friends and colleagues and to meet new ones. No stuffy tables that used to limit conversation. It was the most diverse event I’ve attended, in terms of attendees, honorees and entertainment. There was even diversity in the food vendors! The honorees were inspiring, and their remarks were unique, short and sweet.”
Guest play bocce ball at the after-party. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
The Happiness Club Chicago performs. Photo Credit: David Kindler |
DJ Lady D at the after-party. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
Chicago Bears Drumline performs for guests. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies featured her key lime pie at the after-party.
Photo Credit: David Kindler
Saudia Davis, Edward Torrez, Andrea Terry.
Photo Credit: David Kindler
No wonder guests are conjecturing which landmark building will be the destination for next year’s Preservation Forward. Landmarks Illinois President and CEO Bonnie McDonald earlier shared with us how the event evolved.
Matthew Seymor, Brenden O’Brien, PRESERVATION FORWARD Event Chair & Landmarks Illinois Board Member Erika Block, and Kerry DeWitt. |
Matthew Seymor, Brenden O’Brien, PRESERVATION FORWARD Event Chair & Landmarks Illinois Board Member Erika Block, and Kerry DeWitt. Photo Credit: Pivot Photogrophy |
“Preservation Forward encapsulates the spirit and excitement around what preservation is becoming. Our 2022 Influencers are equally redefining preservation by showing how historic places are part of a just and inclusive future. In the past, women in preservation-related fields have been a minority. We’re excited to work with them to move preservation forward.”
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2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Tonika Lewis Johnson. Photo Credit: David Kindler |
x2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Alicia Ponce Photo Credit: David Kindler |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Eleanor Esser Gorski. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Cheryl Johnson. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Mariah DiGrino and her family. Photo Credit: Ashley Lara |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Stacey Pfingsten. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Tiara Hughes with Ciere Boatright.
Photo Credit: Pivot Photography
The seven 2022 Influencers honored were: Mariah DiGrino, Partner, DLA Piper; Tiara Hughes, Chicago Landmarks Commissioner, FIRST 500 Founder, SOM Senior Urban Design; Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director, People for Community Recovery; Tonika Lewis Johnson, Social Justice Artist; Stacey Pfingsten, Executive Vice President, American Institute of Architects Illinois; Alicia Ponce, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Founding Principal, APMonarch; and Eleanor Esser Gorski, Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank Authority.
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2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Tonika Lewis Johnson, David Hamel, Erica Meyer. x Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencers. (L-R) Cheryl Johnson, Alicia Ponce, Tonika Lewis Johnson, Maria DiGrino, Eleanor Esser Gorski, Stacey Pfingsten, Tiara Hughes. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Alicia Ponce, Landmarks Illinois Regional Advocacy Manager Quinn Adamowski, 2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Stacey Pfingsten. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Cheryl Johnson, Landmarks Illinois Director of Advocacy Lisa DiChiera, Frank Sharpe. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
2022 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Stacey Pfingsten and Landmarks Illinois Board Member Alex Wolking. Photo Credit: Pivot Photography |
McDonald says that the Old Post Office building, with its incredible 2.5 million square feet, is an example of what is effective preservation. It stood vacant, deteriorating, for nearly two decades before opening in 2020 after an $800 million renovation. “Like the Cook County hospital, which is now restored, the Old Post Office is a symbol of just what is possible.”
Sustainability Circle Sponsors for Preservation Forward were Jean Follett and Doug Thompson, TAWANI Property Management and the Van Dam Charitable Foundation.
PRESERVATION FORWARD Sustainability Circle Sponsors Jean Follett, also a Landmarks Illinois Board Member, and Doug Thompson.
Photo Credit: David Kindler
To learn more about Landmarks Illinois visit: landmarks.org
