Landmark Moments in the History of The Chicago Network

2008 - TCN moved into its first independent offices at 211 E. Ontario Street, Chicago.

2008 - TCN launched the Women on Boards intiative.

2007 - We published our tenth annual Chicago Network Census.

2004 - We celebrated our 25th Anniversary by honoring our courageous founders with a gala evening at the Ritz Carlton.

1999 - TCN turned twenty! Former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers spoke to us and our guests at our dinner celebration. We honored Jean Allard with our second TCN appreciation award and held workshops for over 200 up-and-coming professional women.

1996 - Crain's Chicago Business recognized the 100 most influential women in Chicago. Eighty percent were TCN members!

1990 - The Chicago Network Scholarship Program was established. In four years nine scholarships to Illinois colleges and universities plus fifteen Honor Awards were given to exceptional young Chicago women.

1989 - TCN turned ten! The celebration at Second City featured a musical spoof written and performed by Network members, a presentation of the first TCN Appreciation Award to Betsy Plank, recounting the first decade. That same year TCN launched the first annual Women in the Forefront Luncheon (WIFL). The speaker was noted author and Harvard Business School professor, Rosabeth Moss Kanter.

1988 - TCN hosted the sixth annual I.W.F. Conference and Gala and its International Women's Forum Hall of Fame Awards. Honorees were Wilma Rudolph and Audrey Hepburn.

1984 - The National Women's Forum became The International Women's Forum.

1982 - TCN, working with the Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York, San Francisco and Colorado networks, founded the National Women's Forum. Our influence and connections grew.

1981 - The Network invited CEOs of major companies, local VIPs and the media, to a dinner meeting featuring a panel of the Mayors of Chicago and San Francisco and the President of the New York City Council – all women! The Network light, so long under the proverbial bushel came out shining like a star. Television stations and newspapers gave the event first rate coverage.