At Margaret’s Village, we provide a transitional housing and empowerment program to end homelessness for women, children, and families on Chicago’s South Side. We offer experiences that empower, mentor, and support our residents and the broader community. We help our residents transcend trauma, reimagine their futures, attain financial stability, and return to permanent housing.

For those of you who have previously attended our annual Fall Galas, you have experienced the joy and community we share as we gather to support Margaret’s Village, commemorate the legacy of Sister Margaret Traxler, and celebrate our honorees.

If this is your first time attending, this Golden Anniversary gala is the perfect time to join us. It will be a special evening highlighting our success and revealing our vision for the future.

All are welcome in our village. Please plan to be with us and invite your family and friends to join us as well.

Breaking...Great News: $10,000 Matching Challenge to be given at MV 50th Anniversary Gala by anonymous couple!

Wednesday, October 9th
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres Followed by Dinner
at the
Union League Club of Chicago
65 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago Il, 60604
Attire: Formal (Black tie optional)
Parking: 65 W Jackson Blvd Parking Reservations

Derrick Blakley, five-time Emmy Award winner at Chicago’s WMAQ-TV and WBBM-TV, will be our Master of Ceremony for the evening.

Click below for Sponsorship Levels:

50th Anniversary Sponsorship Levels

Our Honorees

We are excited to recognize five outstanding individuals and organizations for their Commitment to Sheltering Hope and Building Community

Marianne Markowitz

President & CEO of First Women’s Bank, dedicated to serving the women’s economy and closing the gender lending gap. Markowitz served in the Small Business Administration, was a trustee for Obama for America, and held global leadership positions in finance. She is the recipient of the Women of Note award and the ATHENA Leadership Award. Active in various organizations, Markowitz is a mentor and holds degrees from the University of Missouri and DePaul University.

Arne Duncan

Managing Partner, Emerson Collective, dedicated to removing barriers so that people can live to their full potential. Duncan is the former U.S. Secretary of Education under the Obama Administration. He led Chicago Public Schools prior to his federal role. Known for educational advancements in Chicago, including opening 100 schools and enhancing teacher quality, he now heads Chicago CRED, focused on reducing gun violence through community partnerships. A Harvard graduate, he serves on various boards and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago. His work spans education, community outreach, and social impact initiatives.

Erica Kirkwood

Vice President and General Counsel at GMA Construction Group and Griggs Mitchell & Alma of IL, LLC. With a strong background in construction law and corporate governance, Kirkwood provides strategic legal guidance to ensure compliance and mitigate risks, advocates for fair construction industry practices and fosters strong relationships with stakeholders. She earned her law degree from WMU-Cooley Law School, is active in several legal organizations, and is known for her leadership skills and commitment to excellence.

Dr. Andrew Davis Andrew Davis, MD, MPH

Professor and Associate Vice-Chair for Quality in the Department of Medicine, board certified in internal medicine and public health. Dr. Davis specializes in quality improvement, prevention, and chronic disease, and practices at the Primary Care Group and the University of Chicago Student Health Clinic. A faculty advisor for the Maria Shelter free clinic at Margaret’s Village, he was named Volunteer Attending of the Year in 2014. Dr. Davis earned his MD from the University of Chicago, completed residency at the University of Iowa, and holds an MPH from the University of Illinois. He is a JAMA section editor and has led disease management for 400,000 people.

Wei Wei Lee, MD

Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean of Students at the Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Lee earned her medical degree from NYU and a MPH from Harvard, completing her residency in Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Passionate about health disparities, she directs six student-run free clinics and established three new clinics offering specialty care. Her research focuses on medical trainee development and technology's effect on patient relationships. Dr. Lee is the recipient of numerous awards for her contributions to community engagement and medical education. Dr. Lee also accepts the award on behalf of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine which runs onsite clinics at Margaret's Village, providing highly valued physical and mental health services and referrals to our residents.

50th Anniversary Host Committee Members

Co-Chairs: Lauren Ziol and Michelle Jolas - SKIN Interior Design
Angela Hicks
Nandita Pinisetti
Natalie Bookey-Baker and Mark Baker
Kevin Conlon – Conlon Public Strategies
Maria and David Hibbs
Shayna and Alex Hibbs
Brien and Lauri Johnson
Jane Kiernan
Bertha Mitchell-Smith
Michal Muhammad
Elizabeth Phillips
Laura and Bill Spizzirri
Nick and Nora Weir
Cheryl and Steven Wolfe

A Brief History of Margaret's Village

It all began in 1974 when Sister Margaret Ellen Traxler founded the Institute of Women Today (IWT), with a group of like-minded interfaith women who joined her to advocate against injustice of any form and were especially drawn to helping women and children. In the late 1980's, IWT changed its focus from advocacy to direct service.

In 1989, Cardinal Bernardin facilitated the sale of the Yale Avenue campus to IWT, and we opened Maria Shelter and the Vincennes Senior Center. Maria shelter serves women and their children.

In 2012, Believe Shelter was added to serve families of various configurations, that may include adult men.

In 2016, we were renamed Margaret’s Village in honor of the enduring legacy of Sister Margaret.

With your support Margaret’s Village will continue our work and expand our mission for another 50 years and beyond, for as long as our community needs us.

Thank you.

THANK YOU SPONSORS

Transcendent

Barbara Ries, Hibbs Family Foundation, Anonymous,

Game Changer

Nick & Nora Weir, Elizabeth Philips & family

Revolutionary

Bookey Family Foundation, Laura & Bill Spizzirri

Transformative

Maggie Meiners Family Fund, Susan Schwartzwold, Cheryl Wolfe, , Ross Foundation

Shepherd

Natalie & Mark Baker, Sr. Ann Flanagan, Bertha Mitchell-Smith, , , Brien & Lauri Johnson, Bob & Kitty Vorisek, Alex & Shayna Hibbs, Myer Family Fund, Sue Budinsky, Ann Harvilla

Advocate

Louise MacMillan, Rosalyn & Jeffery Putman

Champion

Maria Diecidue

Patron

Siddharth Dhapola, Solu, Marjorie Benton, , , Gerry Gorman, , , Schneider Gorney Lammi Family Fund,

Ally

Carol Marin, Jose Rosenfeld, Mark Stephan, Nitish Pinisetti, Uttara Prasad, Catherine Grimstead, Robert Ryan, Joanne Perone, Sister Mary Kay Brooks

Margaret's Village 50th Anniversary Gala

Sheltering Hope, Building Community