Pamela Fitzgerald PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RUSH PHOTO GROUP
The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center presents its inaugural fall benefit, GLOW on November 3 at The Art Institute, Modern Wing. Pamela Fitzgerald, mother of five from Winnetka, is the chair for the new event. Having a large family and spending much of her time around the current growing generation, Fitzgerald was inspired to join this initiative, realizing how complicated the world of mental health is for children and teens struggling to find proper care and resources.
SR: Why did the Board choose to host GLOW this fall instead of the annual fashion show?
PF: The Board decided to “go out on top” after a very successful 90th year hosting the Fashion Show. Our new fundraiser, GLOW, will focus on our 2017 principle project, Rush’s School-Based Mental Health Program and highlight Rush’s impact in the community. Our new format will celebrate the Woman’s Board’s 133-year tradition of volunteerism and support for Rush and the city of Chicago through music, art and the gathering of friends and supporters in a dinner setting.
What will the experience be like?
We are excited to have our new event at The Art Institute of Chicago, Modern Wing which beautifully represents a fresh direction for the Woman’s Board. Our guests will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in Terzo Piano with entertainment by Patrick Donley Jazz Quartet, a seated dinner with entertainment by Eric Genius, and a post-event viewing of the European Modern Galleries.
Why did you decide on the theme GLOW?
I came up with the idea of “glow” symbolizing a person’s total mental and physical health. When we feel healthy, we glow! That is our goal in helping to implement mental health programs in these schools. We want to help these students and community members to feel healthy and happy and ultimately, GLOW.
Tell me more about the beneficiary program this year?
Rush’s School-Based Mental Health Program is a new program anticipated to launch in July 2018. The program will provide mental health screenings and a treatment network to assist children, families, front-line community members and first responders in underserved neighborhoods surrounding the Rush University Medical Center campus. The Woman’s Board has pledged $450,000 to implement this program using Rush’s School-Based Health Clinics’ delivery model which has operated in three Chicago public schools for more than 20 years.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thewomansboard.org.
