Annual Benefit
OnWord 2021
OnWord 2021
The American Writers Museum annual benefit, took place in-person on August 31, 2021 and virtually September 2, 2021. Thank you to our sponsors, honorees, and attendees. You truly made this an event worth writing about!
To learn more about the events, check out our YouTube playlist, Classic Chicago Magazine, and Monteville Schools.
2021 Leaders & Honorees
- HOST AND MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Rebecca Makkai
- EVENT CO-CHAIRS: John W. Estey and Jane Irwin
- CULTURAL AND CIVIC LEADER HONOREE: AWM Founder Malcolm O’Hagan
- PRESENTER OF THE INSPIRATION AWARD: Jenny Xie
Special appearances by writers Scott Turow, Alice McDermott, Billy Collins, Dana Gioia, Tayari Jones, Peter Sagal, and more.
Program Highlights
- PERFORMANCE READINGS: Lookingglass Company Artists
- PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT:Â Dark Testament: Black Writers on Racial Justice, Past and Present
- STUDENT WRITING COMPETITION: Recognition of Winners
HOST COMMITTEE
PATRONS
Roger and Julie Baskes
BMO Harris Bank
Bulley & Andrews, LLC
S. Leigh Pierson and Douglas R. Conant
John and Cathie Estey
Werner and Marleen Hein
Jane Irwin
The O’Hagan Family
Jerre and Mary Joy Stead
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Benefactors
Dennis Abboud/ReaderLink
Anonymous
Barb and Mike Cabay
Marion A. Cameron
Ellen and Don Clark
Robert A. and Joan E. Clifford
Jay and Robin Hammer
Hill and Cheryl Hammock
Catherine Mouly and Ted Carlson
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Patrick O’Hagan and Paula Llaneza
Dominique Raccah and Raymond Bennett
John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe
Roberta Rubin
Larry Shulman and Rhonda Rochambeau
S&C Electric Company Fund
The Steans Family
Sponsors
Anonymous
Davinder K. Anand – The Neilom Foundation
Gail C. Bent
Lloyd and Kathryn Bettis
Scott and Beth Brady
Patricia and Robert Bridgeman
Amy and Paul Carbone
Carey Cranston and Ellen Tritschler
Carolyn Curiel and Mark Van Fleet
Edith and Gerald Falk
Robert and Gena Franden
Mary and Robert Haft
The Hotchkiss Family
Hummer Mower Associates
Ivan and Kathy Kane
Christine and Glenn Kelly
Daniel Korengold and Martha Dippell
Coco and Ethan Meers
Grove Mower and Brooke Hummer
Judy Pomeranz
John and Diane Riley
Lynne and Larry Robinson
Sarah Schrup
Michael and Tracey Scodro
Chicago Council of the American Writers Museum