Bertha's Ball photos

Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) hosted its annual gala, “Bertha’s Ball,” Oct. 10 at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe. More than 400 guests attended the event in honor of Chicago philanthropist Bertha Palmer. The evening started with a silent auction in which each guest was given an iPod to bid on silent-auction items.

Palmer was known in the late 1800s as a businesswoman and humanitarian, but it was her glitterati lifestyle that made her a socialite. Guests like Kat Fitzgerald, who received a Friend for Life award that evening, continued Palmer’s tradition by wearing items with lots of sparkle. Susan Fredman and Jennifer Sobecki accepted a Friend for Life award on behalf of Designs for Dignity, and David Arzola was also honored with that award. Howard Brown Health Center Disease Intervention Specialist Daniel Pohl received the Spirit Award.

After the award ceremony, guests danced the night away to the music of the Stanley Paul Orchestra. The Palmer House underwrote the event, giving Howard Brown 100 percent of the proceeds. For more information on Howard Brown Health Center visit www.howardbrown.org. Text by Emmanuel Garcia; photos by Kat Fitzgerald (MysticImagesPhotography.com) and Garcia—and there are many more images at WindyCityTimes.com