Hall of Fame Award Winners
The House In The Wood Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals who elevate the Northwestern Settlement Mission to nurture, educate and inspire children and families in need.
2022 - Pamela Russell
We are pleased to honor Pamela Russell as our 2022 House in the Wood Hall of Fame honoree. Pamela's dedication knows no bounds. Not only has she held almost every board leadership and committee chair position possible, she has spent over two decades committed to the Camp and Settlement mission, and all Settlement families.
Since 2008, you would find Pamela, along with her family, serving food at the Thanksgiving Dinner with a smile on her face. That same year she began coordinating the Christmas Santa Toy Room, spending months planning, coordinating and making sure there was a huge supply of toys for families to access for their children. Pamela also dedicated her time to the decorating and renovating at the Settlement House. Pamela was a past president of the North Shore Board and is a current member of the Alumni Board.
Pamela joins a beloved group of past Hall of Fame Award recipients who share her passion to open doors to better futures for Chicago’s children, and inspire women to make dreams a reality: Kathy Elliott (2016), Patricia M. Johnson (2017), Valerie Hall (2018) and Paula Danoff (2019)
2019 - PAULA DANOFF
The fourth annual Hall of Fame award was presented to Paula Danoff, an alumna of the North Shore Board and former member of the Board Of Directors for Northwestern Settlement.
Paula’s inspiring leadership paved the way for the introduction of the STEM-based outdoor education program at House in The Wood Camp and Northwestern Settlement’s formal education programs: the Early Childhood Education program and Rowe Elementary Charter School.
2018 - VALERIE HALL
The third annual award was presented to North Shore Board alumna Valerie Hall, recognizing her integral role in the expansion of the camp's outdoor education program. Valerie and her husband Bill literally open doors to better futures for each camper and teacher who walks through the doors of the Valerie Hall Outdoor Education Center.
2017 - PATTY JOHNSON
Patricia has served in multiple leadership roles. During her third term as benefit co-chair in 2006, Patricia and Beth Boehrer introduced the Glitter Ball. The popularity of the benefit and Patricia's charismatic leadership inspired transformative House In the Wood renovations.
Leadership gifts including Patricia's namesake PJ's patio enable House In the Wood to continually evolve and support the introduction of the year-round outdoor education curriculum for students and teachers.
2016 - KATHLEEN AND MICHAEL ELLIOTT
For their extraordinary impact within the organization over the past 20 years, including their generous gift of the new Elliot House residence and Elliott Lodge dining hall and kitchen facility.