Publications & Sites 
Facing History and Ourselves raises over $1.95 million at 21st Annual Chicago Benefit Dinner
Suzanne Amberg (from left) of Evanston, Steve Cole of Chicago, Randi Brooklier of Wilmette and Jay Amberg of Evanston | Photo courtesy of Dan Rest
EVENT: 21st Chicago Benefit Dinner
BENEFITING: Facing History and Ourselves
DATE: May 1
LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Chicago
ATTENDED: 750+
RAISED: $1.95 million+
Article Extras
Updated: August 17, 2012 8:12PM
The Chicago office of international educational nonprofit Facing History and Ourselves welcomed more than 750 civic and corporate leaders to its 21th Annual Chicago Benefit Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. The event raised over $1.95 million in support of Facing History’s wide-reaching educational programs and marked the Chicago kickoff of the organization’s nationally acclaimed multimedia exhibition, Choosing to Participate, which will be mounted at the Harold Washington Public Library, 400 South State Street, from August 27 to November 11, 2012.
The Honorary Chair for Choosing to Participate in Chicago is Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Co-chairs for the initiative are Aon President and CEO Greg Case and Loop Capital Markets CEO Jim Reynolds. In addition to Case, guests at Facing History’s benefit included Facing History Chicago Co-Founders Judy Wise and Karen Harrison; Loop Capital Markets Co-Founder and President Albert R. Grace, Jr.; Facing History Chicago Advisory Board Chairman Jill Garling and her husband, Allstate Chairman, President and CEO Tom Wilson; Facing History Chicago Director Bonnie Oberman and her husband Marty Oberman, former 43rd Ward Alderman and private practice lawyer; PSP Capital Partners Founder, Chairman and CEO Penny Pritzker; Hyatt Hotels Corporation CEO and Facing History Chicago Advisory Board Member Mark S. Hoplamazian; and Draftfcb Vice Chairman Emeritus and Executive Advisor on Global Creative Jonathan Harries.
Guests enjoyed an evening that began with a reception and cocktails, followed by dinner and a presentation by acclaimed novelist Erik Larson, author of “The Devil in the White City” and “In the Garden of Beasts”. The speaking program also included remarks from Facing History Chicago Director Bonnie Oberman, Loop Capital Markets Co-Founder and President Albert R. Grace, Jr. and Aon President and CEO Greg Case. Facing History student Jacques A. and Facing History alumnus Nikki Jarvis also delivered powerful remarks that spoke to the profound impact that Facing History has had on their choices and their lives. The evening concluded with a dessert reception.
Facing History and Ourselves, which was originally founded in Boston by Margot Stern Strom, established a Chicago office 21 years ago. Co-founded by Judy Wise and Karen Harrison, the Chicago office of Facing History has trained more than 3,000 local educators through its professional development programs since 1990. These teachers annually reach over 300,000 middle and high school students in over 725 public, religious, and independent schools in the Chicago metropolitan area. On an international level, Facing History has provided in-depth seminars for more than 29,000 educators, and its active teacher network reaches nearly two million students annually.
For more information, visit facinghistory.org and watch a video at facinghistory.org/video/face-it.
Facing History’s nationally acclaimed multimedia exhibition, Choosing to Participate, examines the impact and history of bigotry and injustice and inspires conversation about civic engagement and tolerance. In addition to five installations about people and communities whose stories illustrate courage, initiative, and compassion, there will be two local components in the Chicago installation: Upstanders: Portraits of Courage, featuring photographs and narratives celebrating 12 unsung heroes making a difference in Chicago; and pARTicipation: Young Artists Speak Up, a display of original artwork from Chicagoland students in grades 7-12 illustrating the importance of choices we make in our daily lives.
Visit choosingtoparticipate.org to learn about local sponsors, view a full event calendar and preview educational resources.
