On May 20th, 2019, Ms. Lori Lightfoot succeeded in becoming the first black female and openly gay Mayor of Chicago. We welcomed her to be our March 2020 speaker.

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#2003 - Mayor Lori Lightfoot

In May 1988, Phil Andrew, then a 20-year-old college student, was shot in the chest in the aftermath of the Hubbard Woods elementary school shooting in Winnetka—one of the nation’s first modern mass school shootings. Andrew survived his injuries, but the experience would ultimately shape his priorities and his career. In the 30 years since the shooting, he has dedicated his life to fighting violence—first as the executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence and later as an FBI agent and crisis negotiator.

#2002 - Philip Andrew

"Suicide: The Aftermath" The painful reality of suicide has become too prevalent in our culture today. It has been said that one soldier in our military takes his life every day. The rate of suicide among veterans is not far behind. There is also an alarming rise in the number of police officers and first responders who choose to end their lives. And finally, the number of school age kids who commit suicide and have so much to live for, continues to rise annually.

#2001 - Fr. Charlie Rubey

On Friday, December 6, 2019, at Noon, in the President's Hall : 2nd Floor of the Union League Club The First Friday Club Welcomes Fr. Edward Foley Duns Scotus Professor of Spirituality, Professor of Liturgy and Music at Catholic Theological Union "Advent: The Art of Paying Attention" Most Christians think that Advent is preparation for the "birth of Jesus," but we cannot prepare for a past event. It is also not simply the preparation for his annual "birthday." Rather, this season is an intense rehearsal of what Christian living is supposed to be each day: paying attention to the sacred revelations and surprising Incarnations that the Holy One springs on us each day. Every day of our lives ... every moment of our lives is a potential "divine ambush." Advent is a four week intensive that each year re-certifies us ... recalibrates Christians for detecting God's unpredictable yet constant reincarnating in the world. Fr. Edward Foley is Duns Scotus Professor of Spirituality and the founding director of the Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He is a Capuchin-Franciscan and ordained Roman Catholic priest. An award winning author, he has produced more than twenty books, translated into multiple languages including From Age to Age and Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals with Herbert Anderson. A well-known speaker, he has taught in venues such as the University of Chicago and Notre Dame, presented in settings as diverse as the Mayo Clinic and the Houston Astro Dome, and lectured in over 60 Roman Catholic dioceses from India to the Philippines.

#1912 - Fr. Edward Foley

The First Friday Club Welcomes Edward J. Wehmer Founder, President & CEO of Wintrust "Faith at Work...Let's Talk About It" A great champion of local business and advocate for entrepreneurs, Wehmer will discuss the challenges of maintaining faith and values while growing professionally. Please join us as we welcome Edward J. Wehmer, Founder, President & CEO of Wintrust, to the podium on November 1st.

#1911 - Edward J. Wehmer

Alan Krashesky walked through the door of Channel 7 in Chicago as a 21 year old. Now, 37 years later, he has become the dean of broadcast journalists in the Chicago television market. He is considered one of the top reporters in the Chicago market, and has been praised for his coverage of the Catholic Church.

#1910 - Alan Krashesky

In a conversation format Rick Kogan will chat with Fr. Cusick about the issues he raises in his recently released book, “Never Be Ordinary – Wisdom from My Father.”

#1905 - Fr. John Cusick and Rick Kogan

“Challenging One of the Last Social Taboos – Discrimination Against Mental Health, Addiction, and Other Brain Diseases”

FFCC-1905: Patrick J. Kennedy

The First Friday Club of Chicago in Cooperation with the Authors Group (Union League Club)   Welcomes Ms. Joy Loverde Author: Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old? and The Complete Eldercare Planner   Who will address the topic: “Caring for Aging Parents and Loved Ones while Planning for Your Future Self - Are You Ready?”   The Baby Boom Generation has become the new senior citizen generation, with more than 6000 Americans turning 65 every day. At the same time more and more people are living into their 90s. This data presents us with two fears: the fear of dying and the fear of living too long. Many of us might become--if we aren’t already--the caregivers for grandparents, parents, spouses, siblings, and beloved friends. Without careful planning, that role as caregiver can put our own physical, emotional, financial, housing, and legal needs at risk.  But wait--what about you and me, especially if we have no children or others to rely on as we grow older? Joy Loverde points to the increasing percentage of the middle-aged and Baby Boomers who are aging solo: the never married, separated, divorced, and widowed. Given this reality, the number one question we all need to ask ourselves is, “Who will take care of me and be my advocate when I’m old?”

#1903 - Joy Loverde

On Friday, February 1, at Noon, in the Presidents Hall of the Union League Club, The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Ms. Mary Meg McCarthy Executive Director National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Who will address the topic: The Statue of Liberty Every Immigrant’s Dream of a Better Life  

#1902 - Mary Meg McCarthy

We welcome Arne Duncan as our January 2019 speaker.

#1901 - Arne Duncan

We welcome Auxiliary Bishop Ron Hicks, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago

#1812 - Bishop Ron Hicks

The First Friday Club welcomes our guest, Fr. Thomas Hurley

#1811 - Fr. Thomas Hurley

The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Ms. Maureen Maher Award-Winning Investigative Journalist for the CBS News Magazine, 48 Hours Who Will Address the Topic “The World I want for my Daughter...and Son. Using Lessons from Our Time to Create a Better Future.”

#1805 - Maureen Maher, Investigative Journalist

On Friday, April 6, 2018 in the Main Lounge of the Union League Club The First Friday Club Welcomes Mr. Kenneth L. Woodward Former Religion Editor, Newsweek Magazine Who will address the Topic? “Religion and American Politics: The Recent History of a Stormy Relationship” We have been told to avoid two topics in our conversations: religion and politics. On April 6 th our speaker, Ken Woodward, will address both of them! One of the people most qualified to address this issue is Ken Woodward who for 38 years covered the topic of religion in America for Newsweek Magazine. And since then he has continue to speak on and write about the place and impact of religion in our country. His most recent book is titled Getting Religion: Faith, Culture, and Politics from the Age of Eisenhower to the Era of Obama. Ken Woodward’s intent during his First Friday Club presentation is to begin with an analysis of the present situation of Evangelicals in current American politics and then go back to JFK and move forward to a discussion of Religion and the GOP and Religion and the Democrats. This should be very interesting! Ken Woodward has authored over 750 articles for Newsweek, including nearly 100 cover stories. He has been a news commentator on NBC, ABC and CBS. Among his numerous awards are the National Magazine Award, the Pulitzer Prize of the magazine industry, and the Robert E. Griffin Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Art of Writing from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Woodward grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from St. Ignatius High School there and from the University of Notre Dame (1957). He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children and seven grandchildren. His current book, Getting Religion: Faith, Culture, and Politics from the Age of Eisenhower to the Ascent of Trump will be available in paperback after his presentation.

#1804 - Kenneth Woodward

The mission of the First Friday Club of Chicago is to provide a forum for men and women to make connections between work, faith, values and issues that affect their daily lives.

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