The Women’s Board of Brookfield Zoo Chicago is a dedicated group of civic-minded women who work to support the zoo's mission of connecting people with wildlife and nature. Since its inception, the Women’s Board has played a crucial role in fundraising, outreach, and conservation efforts.
History
Founded in 1981 with the inaugural fundraising gala, the Whirl, the Women’s Board officially became an organization in 1992. It has grown to include over 70 members from Chicago and surrounding areas, all united by a commitment to animal care, education, and conservation.
Impact
The Women’s Board generates funds through various events, such as
• Annual Gala (The Whirl)
• Wines in the Wild
• A Midsummer Night's Feast Progressive Dinner
• Smaller fundraising events and engagements throughout the year
• Individual donations
In 2024, the Board funded several key initiatives, including:
• 4th International Symposium on Zoo Animal Welfare
• Advancing Wildlife Medicine and Care in Kenya through Training and Development of Veterinary and Animal Care Staff
• Dolphin Adolescence and the importance of juvenile social connectivity (SDRP)
• Hamill Family Play Zoo Small Exhibits
• Moon Jellyfish habitat expansion, breeding, and guest experience
• North American Songbird SAFE
• Professional Learning & K-12 Academics: Teaching Safari
• Projects Supporting Avian and Wildlife Health in Cook County
• Reptile Multi-Home Unit Enclosures
• Six Degrees of Conservation
• Technical Animal Rescue Training for Brookfield Zoo Chicago
• Volunteer Program Engagement
In 2023, the Board funded several key initiatives, including:
• Avian Wildlife Health in Cook County
• Cameras for Behavioral Monitoring of Sihek Guam kingfishers
• Conservation Training at the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
• EnrichTrak Research for Western lowland gorillas
• Nutrition Research for pangolins
• Refresh of the Hamill Family Play Zoo
• Institute for Science Teaching Excellence – Teaching Safari
• Volunteer Engagement Programming
Scholarships
The Women’s Board offers scholarships to students pursuing environmental studies, including the Jan Emmert Memorial Scholarship and the Cynthia Kleronomos Memorial Scholarship. Each year, five scholarships of up to $5,000 are awarded to students in the Zoo’s King Conservation Science Scholars Program.
Membership
Membership is by invitation only and involves:
• Annual dues
• Support for fundraising events
• Participation in education and outreach programs
• Acting as ambassadors in their communities.
Members attend five full board meetings annually, with committee meetings held in between. Committees focus on areas such as Conservation, Education & Outreach, event planning, and Scholarship awards. Meetings often feature presentations from Brookfield Zoo’s executive staff and include visits from animal ambassadors. There is a Zoom option for meetings, though in-person attendance is encouraged.
Engagement
If you are interested in learning more about joining the Women’s Board, contact Brookfield Zoo Chicago's offices at (708) 688-8315.
The Women’s Board’s efforts are vital in advancing Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s mission and making a meaningful impact on conservation and education.
To learn more about our events, click here.
To see a list of current Women's Board members, click here.