DRAFT Landmark Campaign Book

the woman's club of evanston

The Woman's Club of Evanston Landmark Campaign

A legacy of leadership

The Woman’s Club of Evanston was founded in 1889 by a visionary group who believed that women have a responsibility to actively serve the community. For more than 130 years, our members have fulfilled that vision through our dedication to building community, friendship, and leaders.

Designed by noted architect Ernest Mayo and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, The Woman’s Club of Evanston Clubhouse is a cornerstone of the Evanston community. Since its dedication in 1912, it has been a welcoming gathering place for members and our community, a place where we work to create sustainable change. Throughout its history, our beautiful, historic building has hosted weddings, family celebrations, and community events as well as the WCE Revue, Spring Benefit, Dreams Delivered Prom Boutique, Holiday Bazaar, MLK Day of Service and countless meetings, programs and social events for our members.

A vision for the future

In 2016, the WCE Board launched a strategic Master Planning process with the objective to identify and prioritize clubhouse improvements and maintenance and look for the opportunity to refine our space to better serve our members and guests. The resulting Master Plan for Clubhouse Improvements incorporated much-needed updates to our interiors that reflect who we are as a 21st Century organization.

The vision

Plans for the modernized space provided critical enhancements to our operations to better serve members as well as our community.

the lobby and landing

The remodeled clubhouse lobby is a testament to the art of blending timeless elegance with contemporary design. The marble floor has been refurbished and polished. The stairs and banister have been redesigned with a dark finish and a new bronze center railing. The space is illuminated by new chandeliers and sconces with new electrical wiring. Custom radiator covers and refinished antique door hardware preserve historic charm. New carpet and paint extend to the third floor creating a cohesive and harmonious atmosphere. The art collection has been thoughtfully hung in new locations, ensuring each piece receives its well-deserved attention.

the members' room

With new paint, carpet, lighting and window treatments, the members' room is a busy hub for club activities. New and refurbished furnishings create a comfortable environment for casual gatherings. A new conference table and chairs serves numerous committee and leadership meetings each week. The room is finished in a classic, neutral color palate with floral and geometric accessories that echo the colors in the portrait of our founder, Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, that adorns the west wall.

the hallway

In the remodeled center hallway, vintage crystal chandeliers have been meticulously restored and create a striking display. New custom molding, a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting breathe new life into the space. Our treasured art collection adorns the walls and comfortable sofas and chairs invite members and guests to linger. The color palette has been carefully chosen to compliment the historic building with a nod to modern style.

the tea room

The Tea Room gleams with new chandeliers and sconces in addition to refurbished crystal chandeliers. The space features a new state-of-the-art sound system with high-quality speakers and microphones. The bay windows and seating areas have been carefully repaired and adorned with new seat cushions and the original marble fireplace surround has been skillfully refurbished. New window treatments allow natural light to filter in while maintaining a sense of privacy. This remodeled room showcases a harmonious blend of functionality, comfort, and timeless design.

The music room

Made possible through a generous gift to the Landmark Campaign by The Jeff and Brenda Kang Family Foundation, Brenda's Music Room is an elegant space for hosting events and club gatherings.

The maple floor had been refinished to a high shine and the walls have been painted a complimentary shade that blends perfectly with the adjacent Tea Room. New chandeliers with dimmers provide ample lighting and a new sound system with speakers and microphones enhances events held in this elegant space.

the sun porch

No matter the weather, the first-floor sun porch is always bright and cheerful. The room has been divided into two distinct spaces. One side is a charming private room for card games and small meetings while the other is a welcoming living space furnished with deep, velvet sofas, new and refurbished chairs and tables. New lighting, artwork and flooring blend perfectly with warm white walls and trim. It's no surprise that the sun porch has become a favorite spot for members to gather.

design

details

The grand ballroom

Throughout its history, our beautiful, historic building has hosted countless benefits, weddings, family celebrations, and community events.

Our Grand Ballroom is home to the WCE Holiday Bazaar, the WCE Revue, Spring Benefit, and the Dreams Delivered Prom Boutique. These annual premier events allow the WCE to provide economic resources to help meet the needs of our community.

the wce ballroom throughout history

1912

The cornerstone is laid for construction of the WCE Clubhouse at the corner of Church Street and Chicago Avenue.

1913

The WCE hosts the annual conference of the Illinois Federation of Woman's Clubs

1951

The first WCE Revue is staged to raise funds for local organizations. This annual tradition continues to this day.

2005

Dreams Delivered Prom Boutique is created to provide free prom dresses to ETHS students.

2010

The WCE partners with the YWCA/North Shore and Northwestern's Women's Center to host the first annual International Women's Day celebration in Evanston.

the ballroom

Our Grand Ballroom has been restored to its original glory. The wood floor has been refinished, the entire space painted, and daylight streams through the restored eyebrow windows for the first time in more than 80 years. The adjacent sunporch has new laminate floors, lighting and fresh paint. A state-of-the-art sound system with built-in speakers and wireless microphones enhances events held in the space. New window treatments grace the windows throughout the ballroom.

All new gender-inclusive restrooms serve both the first and second floors bringing elegance and modern sensibility to the entire WCE Clubhouse.

thank you, landmark donors!

Through the generosity of our members and supporters in the Evanston community, our modernized Clubhouse continues to serve our members and the community just as it has for more than 100 years.

-landmark campaign donors-

CAMPAIGN BENEFACTOR

Gifts of $100,000+

BRENDA LEE-KANG & JEFFREY KANG

CAMPAIGN VISIONARY

Gifts of $50,000-99,000

CYNTHIA & THOMAS BRIDGES

CAMPAIGN LEADERS

Gifts of $25,000-49,999

CARLA BARROW

NANCY M. CUNNIFF

SARA J. DIOGUARDI & FREDERICK D. RUDA

JAN HARTWELL

SUSAN JEFFERS

ROMANO WEALTH MANAGEMENT

ANNE & ROBERT SULLIVAN

ANNE AND GREG TAUBENECK

CAMPAIGN PARTNERS

Gifts of $10,000-24,999

ANNONYMOUS

JOYCE ALBRECHT

ANNE BERKELEY

HOLLY & ED BRADY

SARA & ROBERT BRENNER

DONNA & DON BROWN

VICKIE BURKE

THE CHERNOFF FAMILY

MELANIE & ROBERT CODY

MARGE & NEIL GAMBOW

DENISE GIFFORD

DIANE & JOHN GOLAN

BEVERLY & BRENT HEIMANN

WENDY & MARK IRWIN

TIFFANY & TOBI LACZKOWSKI

JACKIE & DAVID MACK

EVELYN & MIKE MCGOWAN

LOREEN MERSHIMER

MIMI ROEDER

MICHELLE SALAZAR & JOE MOONEY

KATHERINE & ALVIN SPECTOR

TRIMMY & NEAL STAMELL

LAUREN TASLITZ

LINDA WAKEEN WALKER

CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS

Gifts of $5,000-9,999

ANONYMOUS SUSAN BEDARD

JAN BOWERS & WILL LINDER

GABRIELLE & JUDSON BROOKS

BARBARA & JAMES BYCHOWSKI

MARY KAY CONLON & CHARLES PLUMB

KATHY & MARK FISHER

KIMBERLY & MICHAEL GREENBAUM

TERESA GRODSKY

IN HONOR OF SALLY KELLY CLANCH

ELAINE & STEVE LEV

TAMARA MCKNIGHT

ALICIA & PATRICK O'CONNOR

SUZETTE & DAVID O'NEIL

TAWANI ENTERPRISES

KRISTI RAFTERY

MARCI RUBIN

DEBBIE & MICHAEL SEAR

KIM & AARON STANTON

PAMELA B. SWALES

ANONYMOUS (5)

BARB ACHENBAUM

BARBARA ACKER

LIZ ALLAN

FERN ALLISON

PATRICIA ARIENT

TRISH BARR

SUSAN BARRETT-KELLY

SHEILA BEST

CASEY & TRACEY BLOOMER

ERIN BOOKER

STEPHANIE BORASH

ANNE BRANNING

JACKIE BRENNAN

KELLY BREST VAN KEMPEN

BARB & BILL BRIDGES

NANCY BRISCH

FRAN CAAN

KRISTIN CALLIS

DEB CANNON

EMILY & JOHN CARAGHER

CLAIRE & PETE CARAGHER

CAMPAIGN FRIENDS

Gifts up to $4,999

DEBORAH CASSELL

CHRIS & ROGER CASTINO

SANDRA CHIU-ATKINSON

CAITLIN CODY

PAULA COFRESI-SILVERSTEIN

HELEN COLEMAN

KATE COLLINSON

MOLLY CONRAD

CHRISTINA COONS

MAUREEN CROWLEY

PAULA DANOFF

TERRY DASON

BARBARA DAU

JANE DEMOSS

KATHERINE DONG

JANE DRISCOLL

MARGARET ESKILSON

CAROLA ESPINOZA

MR. & MRS. JAMES M ESTEY, JR.

CHRIS & BRIE EVANS

DEBRA P. EVANS

MELODY FARLEY

KAREN FOMOOK

SUSAN FOX

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROBYN GABEL

JULIE GARRISON & GEORGE GAINES

BETH GEIGER

ANNE & STEVE GILFORD

CHRISTOPHER GILLOCK

NANCY GIRGIS

NANCY GOLDMAN

CHELSEA GREENBAUM

CHRIS GRETCHKO

REBECCA GRUENSPAN

LUCIA GURIDI

KATHRYN & CHARLES HALL

SUSAN HAMMER

DIANA HARRIS

KAREN HARTMAN

KRISTIN HEFFERNAN

CHRIS HEISINGER

ANN HERDER

BRENDA HOCKBERGER

JESSICA HORNSTEN

LAURIE W. HOWICK

JODY HYMAN

JUDI JACOVER

ANONYMOUS

ANN JOHNSON

MARY KALTMAN

DONNA KANE

BARBARA ROCKELMANN KEEFE

IRENE & MIKE KELLY

HALEY KERR

ANGELIQUE KETZBACK

TAYLOR KINN

DEB KINNEY

ELIZABETH KINNEY

JENNY KORN

JOAN KYSER

KAREN LARSON

MARJORIE LEVENTHAL

JANE E. LIECHTY

JACQUIE LINNEY

OLIVIA LONG

CAMPAIGN FRIENDS

Gifts up to $4,999

CATHERINE & DAVID LYNCH

KARISSA MARCELLO

LORI MARTIN-BEAUCHAMP

HEATHER MARTINO

MICHELLE & JIM MARVIN

CATHLEEN MCCANN

ANGELA MCCONNER

NIKILYN MOE

MARY MOHNKE

LINDA NELSON

NANCY NIMZ

ALICIA NORDNESS

SUZANNE O'BRIEN

KATHY FREDRICKS OSWALD

DAWN PAULY

BARBARA PUTTA

CHARLOTTE RATHKE

RUTH REID

ANITA REMIJAS

ELEANOR REVELLE

ALMA REYTHER

MELISSA RIEMER

KATHY RILEY

BARBARA RITTENHOUSE

TRICIA ROBISON

KATHY ROCKLIN

HONORABLE ABBEY ROMANEK

JOI-ANISSA RUSSELL

BETSY SCHERRER

GARY & CINDI SCHUNEMAN

JOY SCHWABACH

ANN M. SEARLES

KAREN SELLERS

RICHARD & LESLIE SEVCIK

HELENE SHAPIRO

KATHRYN SHIVERTS

LINDA SIENKIEWICZ

HEATHER SILVER

STACY & SCOTT SIMPSON

MEGGIE SMITH

KATHY & MIKE SPELLMAN

DIANN SQUIERS

SORRELLE STANTON

ELIZABETH STANTON

SORRELLE STANTON

ELIZABETH STANTON

JANET STEIN

SUSAN L. STROH

CLAIRE STRYKOWSKI

NATALIE TATE

RONA & KAROL TAYLOR

PHEBE TINKER

ELIZABETH TISDAHL

CATHERINE TOBBEN & JULIAN SCHULTE

KATHERINE TOWER, ESQ.

JESSICA TRENT

LISA TUCKER

ABBEY TURILLI

ANGELA VALAVANIS

MARADEE VALENTI

LOHRA VOGEL

JENNIFER WALDMAN

SHARON WALLER

FRIEDA WALTER

ALEXIS WASHA

MARY & BILL WATT

CAMPAIGN FRIENDS

Gifts up to $4,999

CHRISTINE WEBLER

LORI WEBSTER

LIZ WEISLOGEL

CHAVA & STEVEN WU

KAREN & STEVEN YORK

the woman's club of evanston