The Women's Board: History

Women's Board Annual Dinner

The Women's Board was established in 1960 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, in order to personally acquaint its members with the University's research, programs and faculty, to encourage its members to serve as advocates for the University to the larger community and to strengthen the University through funding special projects supporting student life, community outreach, education and academic research.

The Women's Board has been guided by women whose fervent belief in its mission and devotion to the University have resulted in the substantial growth over time of both the Women's Board's membership and its philanthropic support of the University. Since our founding, the Women's Board has been led by the following women:

Mrs. J. Harris Ward (1961-1969)

Mrs. George A. Ranney (1969-1973)

Mrs. Raymond W. Garbe (1973-1977)

Mrs. William W. Darrow (1977-1981)

Mrs. Keith I. Parsons (1981-1984)

Lyndy Bogert (1984-1987)

Louise Glasser (1988-1991)

Sonja Fischer (1991-1994)

Iris Witkowsky (1994-1997)

Diana Hunt King (1997-2000)

Joan Feitler (2000-2004)

Katharine L. Bensen (2004-2007 )

Jill F. Levi (2007- )