April 20, 2013–The Women’s Board in partnership with the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Zoological Society hosted the 32nd annual Whirl at Brookfield Zoo on April 20. The black-tie fundraiser allowed guests the experience to get up close with a variety of charismatic animals, including a cheetah, flamingo,penguin, fennec fox, spotted genet, wallaby, tamandua, and sloth from both Brookfield Zoo and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The $600-per-person gala was chaired by Romana Malinowski, store director of A. Marek Fine Jewelry in Oak Brook. The event, which was attended by more than 625 guests, grossed approximately $1.27 million, which will support the animals at Brookfield Zoo, as well as the Chicago Zoological Society’s conservation and education programs.
Photos by violet dominek, john reilly photography, kelly tone and jim schulz