Judith Stofer Block, who was the first woman to chair the board of the Field Museum of Natural History, has died at 83.
Judith Stofer Block was an integral part of Chicago’s civic community, becoming the first woman to chair the board of a major institution when she was named the head of the Field Museum of Natural History’s board in 1997.
Born Judith Lynn Stofer in Lakewood, Ohio, Block received a bachelor’s degree in speech education from Northwestern University in 1963. She was a schoolteacher in Glencoe for four years and in 1967 married Philip D. Block III, an executive at Chicago-based Inland Steel Co. and a grandson of that firm’s founder.
“She was one of the most vivacious, vocal supporters of our organization,” said Dara Munson, Family Focus’ president and CEO. “And she would challenge me as CEO and she would challenge us as an organization if we were talking about a program — she would ask, ‘Are we having the impact we want to have? What more could we be doing to serve those we serve?’”“She knew there was such alignment with our merger partner,” Munson said.
“It might be unusual, but I don’t quite see it that way,” Block told the Tribune in 1997. “I’m very flattered to be heading this great museum. It’s an honor, not because I am a woman, but because I have the opportunity to lead.”During her three years as board chair, the museum made headlines for paying $8 million at a hotly contested auction to acquire “Sue,” the dinosaur fossil that stands as one of the best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimens ever found.
Block was a longtime trustee of Northwestern University, where she initially served on the women’s board, eventually becoming president. “I am so glad to say today that women volunteers have gone from the ballroom to the boardroom,” Block said upon receiving the award.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Razorback alum tops world-class field on eighth day of U.S Track and Field TrialsNikki Hiltz highlights another successful Arkansas day in quest for Team USA for Olympics
Read more »
Padres pregame: Jurickson Profar back in lineup to start Mets seriesSatisfied with an on-field workout at Citi Field, Jurickson Profar is back in the Padres lineup and in left field.
Read more »
Judith M. Ford MSW, MFAJudith M. Ford, MSW, is the author of Fever of Unknown Origin: A True Tale of Medicine, Mystery, and Magic. Her work has been nominated multiple times for the Pushcart prize.
Read more »
Miss Manners: I don’t like the way this private school is raising moneyAdvice from Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin.
Read more »
Miss Manners: I’ve had multiple joints replaced. I hate it when people call me ‘the Bionic Woman’Advice from Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin.
Read more »
Miss Manners: Adding to the list of potential theater crimesAdvice from Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin.
Read more »