#HASHTAG: SUNNY FISCHER

SUNNY FISCHER is a well-known Evanstonian and former teacher at North Shore Country Day and Lake Forest Academy who has dedicated her life’s work to philanthropy, preservation, and pioneering change throughout Chicago. Her commitment to serving others has been passed on to her children, who regularly thank her for raising them in Evanston where the focus on service—and plethora of things to do—comes with the zip code. Fischer’s career working on women’s issues started at the Evanston Y’s domestic violence program, eventually leading to her work as co-founder and Interim Director of The Chicago Foundation for Women, and as an early leader in both the Women’s Funding Network and Chicago Women In Philanthropy. She currently sits on several boards, including the National Public Housing Museum and Driehaus Museum, where she was the Honoree at the Museum’s 2023 Gilded Gala celebrating its 15th anniversary on the Gold Coast campus. Fischer tells us about what inspires her today—and every day—to build more just and joyous communities.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

I am re-reading my friend Louise Knight’s books on Jane Addams (Citizen: Jane Addams and the Struggle for Democracy and Jane Addams: Spirit in Action). I’ve learned so much from Jane Addams’ life and work—her early feminism, her ability to organize, the issues she worked on—labor immigration, children and families, and peace. Hull House continues to be a model for all settlement houses and social services.

#ON MY MOBILE

I believe in the arts’ power to create a civil, empathetic society, and my appreciation for the arts grew deeply during my time as director of the Driehaus Foundation. I am a frequent theater goer and follow many of our city’s great theaters to see what they’ll do next.

#IN MY EARBUDS

I love to cook to Nina Simone’s music. Not only cooking but doing anything! Nina Simone was a magnificent musician, and she has a song for every mood, from very personal to funny life experiences to tragedy and to her fierce work on civil rights.